News Flash
By Abu Nayem
PANCHAGARH, Dec 23, 2025 (BSS) - A severe cold wave coupled with dense fog has gripped the district, disrupting daily life as the gap between minimum and maximum temperatures narrows and sunshine remains absent until late morning.
From dawn until 10 am today, thick fog blanketed the district, reducing visibility on roads, fields and river ghats. Vehicles were forced to move with headlights on due to poor visibility.
The Tetulia Meteorological Observatory recorded the minimum temperature at 12.5 degrees Celsius at 9 am this morning, with air humidity at 99 percent.
On Monday, the minimum temperature was 12 degrees Celsius at 9 am, with humidity at 97 percent. Dense fog prevailed until around 9:30 am that day, while the maximum temperature reached 21.7 degrees Celsius, leaving a narrow difference of 9.7 degrees Celsius.
The biting cold and fog have caused severe hardship for day labourers and low-income groups, many of whom struggle to work in the morning.
In several areas, residents were seen burning straw and firewood to keep warm.
Abu Bakkar, an auto-rickshaw driver from Haribhanga, said he must drive with headlights on even in the morning, yet visibility remains poor and passenger numbers have declined.
Day labourer Omar Ali noted that despite the cold, staying home is not an option as he must earn to survive.
Motorcyclist Hasibul Islam added that his hands and feet become numb while riding in the severe cold.
According to the Meteorological Office, the lowest temperature of the current winter season in Tetulia was recorded on December 11, when the mercury dropped to 8.9 degrees Celsius - the lowest in the country so far this season.
Officer-in-Charge of the Tetulia Meteorological Observatory Jitendranath Roy said increased moisture in the air is causing light to moderate fog in different areas.
He added that a moderate cold wave may sweep over Tetulia and other northern districts towards the end of December.
