Mild to moderate cold wave, sweeping over various parts of the country for the last few days, is likely to intensify further as mercury may plummet by 1-2 degree Celsius, according to a forecast of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). The Met Office also predicted that the cold wave will continue at least for another two days. With the intensifying cold, the hospitals in Dhaka and the other districts are witnessing a marked influx of patients. More than 2.78 lakh patients were hospitalized during the last 58 days, according to official data.

Between November 1 and December 28, at least 50 people died in the country due to cold-related diseases, said Director General of Health Services¬ (DGHS) control room. At least 4,196 people were affected by different cold-related illnesses including acute respiratory infection and diarrhoea, flu, asthma in last 24 hours across the country, said the DGHS. The data said some 668 of those were receiving treatment for acute respiratory syndrome. Another 1,639 were treated for diarrhoea, and 1,889 for diseases including jaundice, inflammation in the eye, skin diseases, and fever.

Regarding the duration of the cold spell, Meteorologist Monowar Hossain of BMD  said, “A moderate cold wave is still sweeping over Rangpur and Rajshahi districts after a day of drizzle to light rain. The cold wave in the North will continue for at least two or three more days.”

As the weather is turning out severely chilly, people’s sufferings are exacerbating. Winter diseases are proliferating in different districts. Having been suffered winter diseases to date, in span of 10 days, 26 children died in Rangpur Medical College Hospital (RMCH).

Dr Shahadat Hossain, the Deputy Director of RMCH stated that 275 patients remain admitted to the hospital with cold related diseases. Meanwhile, the Met Office recorded the lowest 7.2 degree Celsius temperature in Dinajpur, 7.8 degree in Tetulia. In Dhaka, the lowest was recorded 13.1 degree Celsius and highest 18.7 degree Celsius. People, particularly the elderly ones and those belonging to the low-income group, have been suffering terribly due to the bone-chilling cold hovering across the country.

The homeless people who living under bare sky, day earners and slum dwellers are the worst affected on such weather condition. Some of them even took refuge in the plastic sacks. Vehicles, on the both side of river, Shimulia-Kathalbari and Paturia-Daulatdia routes in the Padma remained stranded for hours due to dense fog as ferry services remained suspended.