Current spell of cold to prolong

Warns Met office

The present spell of cold is likely to be prolonged compared to previous years and the country’s people would have to experience shivering cold throughout January, meteorologists said. Experts said not just Bangladesh, the whole world is witnessing the weather’s abnormal behaviour, which is caused by climate change. In previous years, people in some districts had normally experienced cold, but now residents of almost all districts are now experiencing the cold feeling this year, experts told The Independent yesterday.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the people of the country are likely to witness another cold wave after January 25.

“The present cold spell will be prolonged and will continue through the entire month of January,” former BMD director Md Shahalam said to this correspondent.

The people of some northern districts and Sylhet region had normally witnessed cold during winter in previous years, he said, adding, “But now, people in almost all districts are witnessing severe cold this year. This is because of climate change.”

The ongoing cold wave started on January 3 and will continue for three or four more days, the former BMD chief added.

“From our experience, we have seen that the temperature normally rises within two to three days after a cold wave. This year, however, it is continuing for a long time,” Shahalam said in reply to a query.

“Temperatures were normal in previous years, but suddenly it has declined and the mercury has plummeted, creating history in Bangladesh,” said Reshad Md Ekram Ali, director of the Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB), to The Independent.

“The whole world, including Bangladesh, is currently experiencing abnormal behaviour of the weather. The country has witnessed a record low temperature in 50 years, with the mercury hitting 2.6 degrees Celsius at Tetulia upazila in northern Panchagarh district, breaking the previous record of 2.8 degrees Celsius at Srimangal in Sylhet,” he added.

He, too, attributed such abnormal behaviour of the weather to climate change.

“The present spell of the cold wave will continue two to three more days,” Omar Faruk, a BMD meteorologist, told this correspondent. He said this year’s cold is likely to be prolonged compared to previous years.

“Another cold wave is likely to sweep the country between January 20 and 25. The present spell of the cold wave started from January 3 and is likely to continue three more days,” he said in reply to a query. He further said that the countrymen had last experienced such cold in 2013, but it had continued for only a short period.

According to the BMD, moderate to thick fog may arise over the country from midnight to morning, and may continue at places till Sunday noon.

A mild to moderate cold wave is sweeping over Rangpur, Rajshahi and Mymensingh divisions and the regions of Tangail, Faridpur, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Jessore, Kushtia, Satkhira, Chuadanga, Barisal, Sitakunda and Rangamati.

Night temperatures may rise by 1 to 2°C while the day temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country, the BMD sources added.

Current spell of cold to prolong

Warns Met office

The present spell of cold is likely to be prolonged compared to previous years and the countrys people would have to experience shivering cold throughout January, meteorologists said. Experts said not just Bangladesh, the whole world is witnessing the weathers abnormal behaviour, which is caused by climate change. In previous years, people in some districts had normally experienced cold, but now residents of almost all districts are now experiencing the cold feeling this year, experts told The Independent yesterday. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the people of the country are likely to witness another cold wave after January 25. The present cold spell will be prolonged and will continue through the entire month of January, former BMD director Md Shahalam said to this correspondent. The people of some northern districts and Sylhet region had normally witnessed cold during winter in previous years, he said, adding, But now, people in almost all districts are witnessing severe cold this year. This is because of climate change. The ongoing cold wave started on January 3 and will continue for three or four more days, the former BMD chief added. From our experience, we have seen that the temperature normally rises within two to three days after a cold wave. This year, however, it is continuing for a long time, Shahalam said in reply to a query. Temperatures were normal in previous years, but suddenly it has declined and the mercury has plummeted, creating history in Bangladesh, said Reshad Md Ekram Ali, director of the Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB), to The Independent. The whole world, including Bangladesh, is currently experiencing abnormal behaviour of the weather. The country has witnessed a record low temperature in 50 years, with the mercury hitting 2.6 degrees Celsius at Tetulia upazila in northern Panchagarh district, breaking the previous record of 2.8 degrees Celsius at Srimangal in Sylhet, he added. He, too, attributed such abnormal behaviour of the weather to climate change. The present spell of the cold wave will continue two to three more days, Omar Faruk, a BMD meteorologist, told this correspondent. He said this years cold is likely to be prolonged compared to previous years. Another cold wave is likely to sweep the country between January 20 and 25. The present spell of the cold wave started from January 3 and is likely to continue three more days, he said in reply to a query. He further said that the countrymen had last experienced such cold in 2013, but it had continued for only a short period. According to the BMD, moderate to thick fog may arise over the country from midnight to morning, and may continue at places till Sunday noon. A mild to moderate cold wave is sweeping over Rangpur, Rajshahi and Mymensingh divisions and the regions of Tangail, Faridpur, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Jessore, Kushtia, Satkhira, Chuadanga, Barisal, Sitakunda and Rangamati. Night temperatures may rise by 1 to 2C while the day temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country, the BMD sources added.