COLD WAVE Mercury rises gradually

The overall situation of cold wave, sweeping the country for the last few days, began to improve on Tuesday and it is likely to further weaken into mild to moderate cold wave from today.
The temperature across the country rose by 1-2 degrees Celsius and it would continue rising further just a day after the lowest temperature in five decades was recorded in the country, Met officials said on Tuesday.
The disaster management ministry has launched relief activities in the worst-affected districts, especially in the northern region.
The ministry sent 20 senior officials, including additional secretaries and joint secretaries to 20 worst-affected districts to monitor relief activities there on Tuesday, disaster management and relief minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowhdury told a press conference at the secretariat.
Met Office said the lowest temperature of 4.8 degrees Celsius was recorded in Dinajpur on Tuesday morning, a day after the country experienced the record lowest temperature of 2.6 degrees in Tetulia of Panchagarh.
Besides, Met office recorded 5.2 degrees Celsius in Chuadanga and Panchagarh on Tuesday.
The recorded lowest temperature in Dhaka was 10.7 degree Celsius on Tuesday.
The disaster management minister told reporters that the ministry started distributing dry foods and blankets among distressed people. 
He said none died due to chilling cold so far in the country and urged people to stay beside the distressed people with foods and warm clothes.
The worsts affected districts are Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jaipurhat, Rajshahi, Naogaon, Bogra, Chapainawabganj, Natore, Jessore, Jhenaidah, Pabna, Meherpur, Chuadanga and Kushtia.
Meteorologist Mizanur Rahman of Bangladesh Meteorological Department told New Age that the overall temperature was rising gradually and the ongoing severe cold wave was likely to turn into mild to moderate one from Wednesday.
Severe cold wave is sweeping Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions and the regions of Gopalgonj, Satkhira, Jessore and Kushtia, according to Met office.
Besides, mild to moderate cold wave is blowing over Mymensingh and Barisal divisions and the remaining parts of Dhaka and Khulna divisions and the regions of Srimangal, Comilla, Chittagong and Noakhali, it says.
The northern regions of Bangladesh have been bearing the brunt of the cold waves over the last few days.
Poor people, particularly farmers and rickshaw-pullers, have been suffering badly for the shivering cold. Children and elderly people have been the worst victims.
The hospitals across the country were facing rush of children and elderly people suffering from cold-related diseases.
In the first eight days of January, at least 630 people suffering from acute respiratory infection and 2,121 others suffering from diarrhoea were hospitalised, according to National Health Crisis Management Centre.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net