Some areas may see rain tomorrow

Dhaka dwellers experienced chilly weather yesterday as the mercury plunged to 12.1 degrees Celsius, the lowest in the capital this winter.

The country's lowest temperature, 8.8 degrees Celsius, was recorded in Badalgachi of Naogaon and Dinajpur yesterday.

Parts of Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal and Chattagram divisions may see rain tomorrow, said Monowar Hossain, a meteorologist of Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

According to the Dhaka Met office, the mild cold wave, which was sweeping over Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions and the districts of Jashore, Kushtia, Chuadanga, Tangail, Madaripur and Kishoreganj yesterday, may continue for a few more days.

People, particularly the children and elderly, have been suffering for the last few days due to biting cold. Cases of various cold-related diseases are on the rise due to the weather.

In light of the government's decision, all primary and secondary schools in Bogura and Natore were closed yesterday as the mercury dropped below 10 degrees Celsius in those districts.

Abdur Rahman, assistant meteorologist at the Bogura Met office, said the temperature in the district fell to 9.1 degrees Celsius yesterday morning, the lowest in Bogura this winter.

District Primary Education Officer Azaduzzaman Chowdhury said the schools were closed for yesterday following instructions from Bogura Deputy Commissioner Saiful Islam.

Natore Primary Education Officer Golam Nabi said the mercury dropped below 10 degrees Celsius in Ishwardi of Pabna and Rajshahi on Sunday night.

Therefore, the district primary and secondary education offices on Sunday night suspended all the classes for yesterday, he added.

Natore Deputy Commissioner Abu Naser Bhuiyan said the schools will remain closed today as well.

In Jashore, classes were held in schools yesterday although the temperature dropped to 9.8 degrees Celsius.

Ayub Hossain, father of a schoolboy, said he had to take his child to the school yesterday braving chilly weather and the fog so that he does not miss any lessons.

Schools should be closed amid such a weather condition, he added.

Jashore Education Officer Mahfuzul Hossain said they came to know that the temperature in the district dropped below 10 degrees Celsius in the morning.

"We have informed the higher officials about the weather condition. We are yet to make any decision on closing schools," he said.

Jashore DC Abraul Hasan Majumder said the officials concerned will contact the Met office and make decisions on school closures.