Photo: BSS

KURIGRAM, Dec 10, 2025 (BSS) - The Himalayan foothill district of Kurigram has been reeling from an intense cold spell for several consecutive days, with temperatures plunging to a season-low of 11.4 degrees Celsius this morning. 

The severe cold has disrupted daily life, increased cold-related illnesses, and brought hardship to the region's poor, especially those living in remote char areas.

According to the Rajarhat Meteorological Observatory, the temperature, which hovered between 12°C and 13°C over the past few days, dropped sharply to 11.4°C at 6 am, marking the lowest reading in the district this season.

Residents say the cold has virtually paralyzed normal life. A biting northern wind intensifies the chill from night until morning, and although the sun appears during the day, it offers little relief. The char areas remain the hardest hit, often blanketed in thick fog across fields and riverbanks, forcing day laborers to begin their work in harsh conditions.

Daily wage worker Mohammad Hossain from Holokhana Mastererhat in Sadar upazila said the cold delays his ability to start work in the morning.

"My hands and feet don't move in this cold, but if I don't work, we don't eat," he said.

In Nageshwari's Nunkhawa union, Zahidul Islam described the situation as even worse.
"The cold has increased a lot this time. I'm in great trouble with just some thin clothing. No one has given me a blanket yet," he said.

Another resident, Khairul Islam, added, "Working in this cold makes my hands and feet burn. My body freezes. I can't work properly."

The cold wave has also reduced student attendance across educational institutions in the district. Parents say sending children to school in severe morning cold has become increasingly difficult.

Livestock and poultry are suffering as well. Farmers report that animals shiver through the night and struggle to eat properly due to the cold wind penetrating sheds and open spaces.

Hospitals and health centers across Kurigram, including Kurigram Sadar Hospital, are witnessing a rise in cold-related patients-mainly children and the elderly. 

However, Civil Surgeon Dr. Swapnan Kumar Biswas said the overall increase is not yet alarming and added that outdoor treatment services are being provided to patients arriving from different upazilas.

Kurigram District Char Development Committee President Professor Shafiqul Islam Bebu highlighted the vulnerability of the population during winter.

"Out of Kurigram's 24 lakh people, 17 lakh are poor. On top of that, we have 101,989 disabled individuals. Children, the elderly, and our disabled brothers and sisters are suffering the most this winter," he said.

He urged the district administration, social organizations, and well-off individuals to come forward immediately.

"A blanket may not be a big deal to many, but for someone it could mean surviving the night," he added.

Deputy Commissioner Annapurna Debnath confirmed that preparations for winter aid distribution are complete.

"A list of winter clothes has been prepared. Blanket distribution among cold-stricken people will begin very soon," the DC said.

As the cold intensifies, residents hope timely assistance will help them endure the harsh winter conditions sweeping across Kurigram.