Photo : BSS

PANCHAGARH, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS) - A spell of severe cold has been gripping the country's northern district of Panchagarh for the last few days as a mild cold wave is sweeping over the area, causing a sharp fall in temperature and disrupting normal life.

The temperature dropped by 4.2 degrees Celsius within a day as 8.6 degrees Celsius was recorded at 9 am today at the Tetulia Weather Observation Centre. 

At that time, the humidity level stood at 99 percent while wind speed ranged between six and eight kilometres per hour.

Earlier, the temperature at the same station was recorded at 12.8 degrees Celsius at the same time on Monday. The maximum temperature of the day was 16.5 degrees Celsius, resulting in a narrow difference of only 3.7 degrees Celsius between the day's minimum and maximum temperatures.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), temperatures ranging from 8.1 to 10 degrees Celsius indicate a mild cold wave. 

Considering the prevailing temperature, a mild cold wave is currently sweeping over Panchagarh.

The biting cold has severely affected daily life in the district. As night deepens, the intensity of cold increases while dense fog continues to blanket roads and highways until morning, making the cold more intense from evening to early hours of the day.

Low-income and day labourers are facing acute hardship as many of them are unable to go to work on time. 

Vehicle drivers are also struggling, as they are forced to drive cautiously with headlights on even during morning hours due to poor visibility caused by thick fog. 

Many people have been seen burning straw and dry leaves to keep themselves warm.

Officer-in-Charge of Tetulia Weather Observation Centre Jitendranath Ray said upper-level cloud cover and dense fog are making the cold feel more severe. 

He also said such cold conditions may continue throughout January.