Bitter cold grips Meherpur: Over 1,200 hospitalised, lack of warm clothing intensifies crisis

The ongoing severe cold in Meherpur has crippled daily life, with temperatures plummeting and a thick fog enveloping the area.

Despite the harsh winter conditions, the administration has yet to allocate warm clothing for the cold-stricken population.

As temperatures continue to drop, residents have been battling the bitter cold by burning straws to stay warm. In the past week alone, 1229 patients, including 350 children, 509 women, and 370 men, have sought treatment at local hospitals due to illnesses caused by the cold

Meherpur General Hospital and health complexes in Gangni and Mujibnagar have reported a significant increase in cold-related cases, with many suffering from pneumonia, diarrhoea, and respiratory issues.

On Thursday (12 December), the Chuadanga Meteorological Office recorded the temperature in Chuadanga and Meherpur at 10.2°C at both 6am and 9am. Humidity levels were at 97%.

The local weather office predicted the temperature will continue to drop in the coming days, with a cold wave expected to begin shortly.

Rakibul Hasan, a senior meteorological observer at the Chuadanga Weather Office, said, "Fog covered the sky on Thursday, and the sky remained cloudy due to a low-pressure system. This weather is expected to continue tomorrow. A cold wave may begin in a few days, further lowering the temperature."

The drop in temperature has left life at a standstill, with vehicles moving slowly and headlights on even during the day due to the dense fog. People and animals alike are struggling to survive in the harsh conditions, with many flocking to shops selling warm clothes.

In addition to the rise in cold-related illnesses, the district's hospitals are overwhelmed with patients. In Meherpur, 254 children, 363 women, and 293 men have been admitted to the 250-bed General Hospital in the past week alone. Similarly, 94 patients have been admitted to the Mujibnagar Upazila Health Complex, and 225 patients have been admitted to the Gangni Upazila Health Complex.

Over three lakh people in the district are facing severe hardship due to the lack of warm clothes, with no government assistance provided so far. While a few voluntary organizations and individuals have distributed some warm clothing, there is still a dire need for more.

Dr Jamir Mohammad Hasibus Sattar, superintendent of Meherpur General Hospital, said, "Most patients have come to the hospital in the past few days with cold-related illnesses. Diseases such as colds, coughs, pneumonia, breathing problems, and cold-related diarrhoea are affecting many, particularly children and the elderly. We advise people to keep children in warm places and protect the elderly from cold-related diseases. We recommend staying indoors as much as possible and keeping themselves warm."

Meherpur Civil Surgeon Dr Mahid Uddin said, "As the cold intensifies, various diseases are spreading. Health workers have been instructed to provide home healthcare, and sufficient medicines have been supplied to each union health centre."

Meherpur Deputy Commissioner Sifat Mehnaz said, "So far, no blankets, warm clothes, or cash have been allocated for the cold-stricken people. Only 400 blankets from the NGO ASHA have been distributed through institutional channels. However, discussions have taken place with the Director General of the Disaster and Relief Ministry, and the Meherpur District Council has decided to purchase blankets worth Tk25 lakh for the cold-stricken people."