Panchagarh shivers as temperature drops to 12.2°C

Panchagarh, the northernmost district of the country, experienced its coldest day of the season this morning as the temperature dropped to 12.2°C, according to the Tetulia Weather Observatory.

This marks a sharp decline from the previous three days' temperature, which recorded a steady low of 13°C.

Russell Shah, official-in-charge of the Tetulia Weather Observatory, said the cold wave is expected to intensify further.

"The temperature is dropping daily, and today's reading is the lowest so far this season," he said.

Despite some sunshine breaking through the morning fog, residents struggled with the chill.

Laborers, including those working in stone quarries, tea estates, and farms, braved the freezing conditions to continue their daily routines.

Rakibul Islam, a local farmer, shared the challenges of harvesting crops in the cold. "Picking cabbage, coriander leaves, and bottle gourds in the morning is tough. The dew-covered leaves are so cold that they numb our hands," he said.

Roksana Begum, a resident of Bhajanpur said, "Every day feels colder than the last. It's becoming difficult to work outdoors, and winter hasn't even peaked yet," she said.

Rickshaw-van drivers also reported difficulties, with one, Julfikar Ali, saying, "The cold at night and early morning is unbearable. Taking the van out in this weather feels freezing, and it's much worse than before."

In neighbouring Dinajpur, the weather office recorded a low of 14.5°C today, down from 15°C yesterday.

Tofazzal Hossain, in charge of the Dinajpur Met Office, said that temperatures across the northern districts are steadily dropping.