Normal life in the coastal island district has been severely disrupted as a prolonged cold wave continues to intensify, driven by the adverse effects of climate change.  Photo : BSS

BHOLA, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS) – Normal life in the coastal island district has been severely disrupted as a prolonged cold wave continues to intensify, driven by the adverse effects of climate change. 

Dense fog, sunless days and icy northern winds have brought daily activities to a near standstill, leaving thousands of low-income and uprooted people in extreme hardship.

For the past two weeks, thick fog has enveloped the district from early morning until noon, discouraging people from leaving their homes except in emergencies. 

Daily wage laborers, fishermen and the poor are bearing the brunt of the situation.

The condition is particularly alarming in the char and riverside areas adjacent to embankments. Millions of impoverished residents in Bhola Sadar, Char Fasson, Monpura, Tajumuddin, Daulatkhan and Borhanuddin upazilas are struggling to cope with the biting cold. Children and elderly people are the worst affected.

According to sources at the Bhola District Health Department, hundreds of women, men and children have sought treatment at different upazila health complexes over the past few days for cold-related illnesses, including pneumonia, asthma, cold allergies and diarrhea. The number of affected children and senior citizens is notably high.

A field visit revealed that the situation in the char areas is even more severe, as cold northern winds blow directly into makeshift huts in regions such as Dhalchar, Charkukri-Mukri, Char Madraz, Char Nizam, Char Shahjalal and Char Kalatali.

Amid the hardship, Amena Begum of Charkali in Bhola Sadar upazila said, “I live hand to mouth. I somehow pass the night with an old sweater and a thin kantha.”

Similarly, elderly Ayesha Khatun from Char Nasrin in Tajumuddin upazila expressed frustration, saying, “Blankets are distributed in many places during winter, but char people are always neglected. Even during the election season, no one comes to check on us.”

Senior observer of the Bhola Meteorological Department Md. Mahbubur Rahman told BSS that the district recorded its lowest temperature of 9.5 degrees Celsius on January 1, while 12.5 degrees Celsius was recorded on Monday (January 5).

 During this period, humidity remained around 90 percent. He added that the cold conditions may persist for several more days.

Meanwhile, the district administration has begun distributing winter clothing, though residents of char areas say the supply is far from adequate. 

District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Syed Md. Azim Uddin informed BSS that 13,000 pieces of winter clothes have been allocated this year from the office of the Chief Advisor under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, and distribution is ongoing.

Local residents have demanded increased distribution of winter clothing, improved medical services and immediate government assistance, fearing that the situation could worsen further if effective measures are not taken promptly.