Severe cold wave in Bangladesh kills 27, two more waves expected

Severe cold wave is disrupting life across Bangladesh since January 4, from its northern to southern regions. Temperatures this week dropped to lowest Bangladesh ever recorded. 

On Monday, January 8, 2018, the temperature in Tetulia, Rangpur division dropped to 2.6 °C (36.7 °F), marking the country's lowest registered temperature ever. The previous record low of 2.8 °C (37 °F) was recorded in Sreemangal, Sylhet Division in 1968.

Capital Dhaka recorded 9.5 °C (49.1 °F) on Monday, the lowest temperature this season, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). said. The city's lowest temperature ever was 5.6 °C (42 °F) recorded in 1964.

The worst affected are children and elderly, farmers and rickshaw-pullers in northern Bangladesh. As of January 12, at least 27 people have died and the death toll is expected to rise.

For the country used to mild winter, BMD considers temperatures from 4 – 6 °C (39.2 – 42.8 °F) to be a severe cold wave and districts of Rajshahi, Pabna, Dinajpur and Kushtia are currently experiencing that, whereas some other parts in Bangladesh such as Dhaka, Mymensingh, Barisal, Rajshahi, Rangpur and Khulna Divisions and parts of Srimangal and Sitakunda are currently experiencing light to medium cold waves.

The cold wave is likely to continue until January 14, and one or two more cold waves are expected later this month.

Featured image credit: Md Al Amin