Bone-chilling cold forces school closure in north

In response to the unrelenting cold wave in the country's northern region, authorities in Rajshahi, Joypurhat, and Kurigram districts have announced the closure of all primary and secondary schools.

This unprecedented move comes as temperatures plummet below 10 degrees Celsius, posing significant challenges for local communities. The biting cold, coupled with dense fog, has disrupted daily life, impacting everything from transportation to education.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) in Rajshahi has ordered a temporary school closure for two days from Sunday.

"In light of the hazardous weather conditions, the directorate has ordered schools to close," said Sharmin Ferdous Chowdhury, acting deputy director of the DSHE, emphasising the directive's compliance with safety guidelines. "Classes will resume on Tuesday if the weather improves," she added.

Due to the unfavourable weather conditions, all primary schools in the Rajshahi district also remained closed on Sunday.

"If the temperature remains below 10 degrees Celsius, the closure of schools will be extended till Monday," said Saidul Islam, the Rajshahi District Primary Education officer.

Following suit, Joypurhat's Deputy Commissioner, Salehin Tanvir Gazi, announced a two-day shutdown of all primary and secondary schools. This decision stems from a report by the Naogaon meteorological office, confirming temperatures dipping below 10 degrees Celsius in the district, reports UNB.

Further north, Kurigram district administration has extended the closure of 1,848 educational institutions until temperatures rise above 10 degrees Celsius.

DC Mohammad Saidul Arif of the district urged students to prioritise their safety by staying indoors and continuing their studies remotely.

This shutdown comes after a directive from the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) on 16 January. The DSHE granted regional authorities the power to close schools if temperatures fall below 10 degrees Celsius.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) announced on Sunday that a mild cold wave is affecting several districts across the Dhaka, Rangpur, and Rajshahi divisions.

According to the BMD's latest weather bulletin, the districts experiencing this mild cold wave include Kishoreganj, Rajshahi, Pabna, Naogaon, Panchagarh, and Kurigram. The bulletin noted the lowest temperature recorded at 9.5 degrees Celsius in Rajshahi, Pabna's Ishwardi, and Naogan's Badalgachi.

The BMD classifies a mild cold wave as temperatures ranging from 8 to 10 degrees Celsius. A moderate cold wave is categorised by temperatures between 6 to 8 degrees Celsius, while a severe cold wave is indicated by temperatures falling below 6 degrees Celsius.