Panchagarh, the northernmost district of the country, experienced this season's coldest day as the mild cold wave started sweeping over the region today.

The lowest temperature of 8.4 degrees Celsius was recorded at 9:00am in the district's Tetulia. This marks a sharp decline from the previous day's temperature, which was recorded at 12.6 degree Celsius, said Jitendranath Ray, assistant officer of the local weather observatory centre.

The icy wind from the Himalayan side is sweeping through the northern region due to the clear skies, amplifying the biting cold, he said.

The weather is expected to remain similar for the next few days, the official added.

Photo: STAR

According to the meteorological department, temperatures between 8 and 10 degrees Celsius is considered a mild cold wave, six to eight degrees Celsius a moderate cold wave, and less than six degrees Celsius a severe cold wave.

Nur Uddin, 50, a microbus driver of Moidandighi village in Panchagarh's Boda upazila, said though the sun has been bright from the morning, but it is tough to stay outside as the cooler winds from the northern side is sweeping through persistently.

Rafiqul Islam, 45, a farmer of Barunagaon in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila, said, "We work in the potato field even though there is the severity of cold weather."

Rakibul Alam, resident medical officer of Thakurgaon 250-bed modern hospital, said around 200 children affected with cold-related diseases have been staying for the last few days in the hospital's 45-bed children's ward.

He also said that on an average six hundred patients take treatment, staying at the hospital regularly during the season while the number in the outdoor is much higher.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Meteorological Department said that the mild cold wave is also sweeping over Rajshahi and Chuadanga districts and it may continue.

In its morning weather bulletin, the met office said that Rajshahi's minimum temperature was 9.7 degrees Celsius and Chuadanga's 9.8 degrees Celsius.

The night and day temperature may fall slightly over the country in the 24 hours commencing 9:00am today, it added.

However, in the capital, the minimum temperature was 15 degrees Celsius.

During the period, moderate to thick fog may occur at areas over the country during midnight till noon. Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country, it said.

Wind direction and speed at Dhaka will be north-northwesterly at eight to 12 kilometres per hour.

The BMD also said the well-marked low over Southwest Bay off Sri Lanka coast weakened into a low pressure area over Gulf of Mannar and adjoining area and became unimportant.