Bangladesh News

Two more people have been reported dead as the current spell of severe wintry weather continues across the country.

Two tea garden labourers in Moulvibazar district died from the cold on Friday. The dead were identified as Radha Nayek, 45, and Murti Barai, 55, both former employees of Ratna Tea Garden under Juri upazila.

In the capital city the sky remained cloudy with interrupted moderate rain for the third consecutive day yesterday. The drizzle and foggy weather disrupted city life. Slum dwellers, children and the very old were the worst victims of the wintry chill.

Dhaka’s lowest temperature was recorded at 15.7 degrees Celsius yesterday.

Our Khulna correspondent adds: Sidr victims in the southern costal regions, living in temporary shelters, are some of the worst sufferers of the continuing cold spell and rain.

UNO Shahnawaz Talukder distributed 15,000 metres of polythene sheets among four unions of Sharankhola upazila yesterday for protection of makeshift shelter centres from the rain. Reports say that the continuous rain has drenched clothes, blankets and other relief items belonging to the residents of the shelters leaving them to untold sufferings in the severe conditions.

Our Chittagong correspondent reports: Continuous drizzle and cold winds disrupted normal life and business in the port city of Chittagong for the third straight day yesterday.

Patenga Met office recorded 26.8 mm rain in 24 hours till 3pm yesterday.

Commuters, including office goers, garment workers and school-going children suffered the most as the number of CNG-run auto-rickshaw and rickshaw on the roads were thin.

Small wayside vendors suffered heavy losses as sales were low. Most were seen sitting beside their goods covered with polythene sheets.

Activities at Chittagong Port including container handling were normal. Sources said only loading and unloading of bulk cargoes were however disrupted.

BSS adds: The situation in Barisal region worsened further yesterday as the rainfall continued. Met office recorded at least 19-mm rainfall in this region till 3 pm yesterday. Government and semi-government agencies are continuing distribution of warm clothes among the poor and distressed.

The continuous rain and cold spell has also hampered life in Bandarban, Chuadanga and other districts of the country as well.