News Flash
LALMONIRHAT, Dec 28, 2025 (BSS) - Dense fog and severe cold have been disrupting normal life in the district for several days, causing immense suffering, particularly among children, the elderly and low-income people.
Due to thick fog and biting cold, vehicles are moving slowly on highways and local roads with headlights on even during daytime. People are avoiding going outside unless absolutely necessary as the cold wave continues to intensify.
Children, women and senior citizens are the worst sufferers. The situation is especially critical for low-income and poor people in rural areas, including daily wage labourers, landless people and residents of riverside char areas, who lack adequate warm clothing.
Many cold-stricken people have been seen lighting fires by burning straw to keep warm.
Locals said both government and private assistance remain insufficient compared to the growing demand. The prolonged absence of sunlight has further worsened the cold situation in the district, which is located near major rivers and close to the Himalayan region, making winters harsher than in many other parts of the country.
Agricultural activities have also hampered. Farmers and farm workers are struggling to work in maize, mustard, wheat, potato and onion fields due to the extreme cold. Meanwhile, health risks are rising as increasing numbers of people are suffering from cold-related illnesses such as cough, fever and breathing difficulties.
Officer-in-Charge of Rajarhat Meteorological Observatory Subal Chandra said the lowest temperature recorded in the district on Friday was 11.2 degrees Celsius.
In Banmali area of Kulaghat union, the suffering of poor residents has reached alarming levels. Seventy-eight-year-old Sonavan Begum told BSS that her old blanket is no longer effective against the cold.
She said she received no assistance from local representatives and is forced to burn straw to keep warm due to financial hardship.
Similarly, Basharan Bibi, 68, from the same area said she has only a thin cloth and a sheet to protect herself from the cold. Fearing illness, she is unable to step outside her home.
Despite the severe cold, many workers are continuing their daily activities out of necessity. Akbar Mia, a hotel worker from Durgapur Union in Aditmari Upazila, said they have no option but to endure the cold day and night. Auto-rickshaw driver Taher Ali from Kakina Union in Kaliganj Upazila said that stopping work would threaten his family’s survival. Agricultural worker Azizul Haque from Goddimari Union in Hatibandha Upazila also said they are forced to work in the fields despite the harsh weather.
Union Parishad Chairman of Barabari Union Md Nazmul Huda Limon and local representative Md Idris Ali told BSS that more than 5,000 people in their unions are suffering from the cold, but the number of government-allocated blankets is far below the actual demand.
They said no private assistance has been received so far this season and urged the government to urgently increase winter relief allocations.
Resident Medical Officer of Lalmonirhat 250-bed District Hospital Dr Samira Hossain Chowdhury said children are increasingly being admitted with cold-related illnesses.
She said cases of cold, fever, diarrhea and pneumonia have risen, while some children are suffering from asthma, breathing problems and convulsions. Considering the situation, she suggested temporarily closing primary schools and ensuring children receive warm water and nutritious food.
Deputy Director of the District Agricultural Extension Department Dr Md Saikhul Arifin said crops are currently safe despite the cold and frost, and farmers are being advised on preventive measures to avoid potential damage.
Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate HM Rakib Haider told BSS that blanket distribution is already underway in the district.
He said a requisition has been sent to the relevant ministry for an additional 50,000 blankets due to high demand. An allocation of about Tk 24 lakh has been received, and procurement is in progress. He assured that blankets will be distributed soon, particularly in remote and vulnerable areas.
