A mild to moderate cold wave has swept across 26 districts of Bangladesh, with Chuadanga recording the lowest temperature this winter at 6.6 degrees Celsius. Dhaka also experienced its coldest day this winter, with the mercury dropping to 11 degrees Celsius. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) predicts that the cold wave may persist in Dhaka, Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Khulna divisions, as well as Moulvibazar, Barishal, Bhola, and Cumilla districts, with a potential drop in temperature in some areas.
Kazi Jebunnesa, a BMD meteorologist, mentioned, “Though night temperatures may rise slightly on Wednesday, daytime temperatures may fall further.” Additionally, there is a likelihood of rain or drizzles in Barishal, Khulna, and Chattogram divisions, and at a few places in Dhaka division today.
The BMD forecast indicates that the weather will remain mainly dry with a partly cloudy sky in the rest of the country. According to the Met office, a temperature range of 10 to 8 degrees Celsius is considered a mild cold wave, 7.9 to 6 degrees Celsius is a moderate cold wave, 5.9 to 4 degrees Celsius is a severe cold wave, and below 4 degrees Celsius is classified as a very severe cold wave.
Flight operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport faced disruptions for around one-and-a-half hours due to fog. An international flight diverted to Sylhet Osmani International Airport, and operations at HSIA were suspended from 8:30 am to 10:00 am due to low visibility.
City dwellers in Dhaka experienced chilly weather, causing discomfort, especially for schoolchildren. Concerns were raised about the impact on vulnerable groups, such as laborers, low-income individuals, children, and the elderly. Some residents suggested the government consider closing educational institutions for a week to mitigate the effects of the cold spell.
