GENEVA, 12 January, 2018 )IFRG): The situation Severe cold wave is sweeping over Bangladesh. It was recorded the lowest in Bangladesh’s history at 2.6 degrees yesterday in Tetulia, Rangpur division.
The lowest temperature in Bangladesh’s history was recorded at 2.8°C in Sreemangal, Sylhet Division in 1968. Starting from 4 January 2018, temperature in Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions and the regions of Tangail, Srimangal and Chuadanga are dropping down to 2-3 degrees Celsius, while it was 3 to 3.2 degrees Celsius in different areas in Dinajpur district. Temperature in the capital city Dhaka dropped to as low as 9.5 degrees Celsius.
The weather office considers temperatures from 4-6 degree Celsius to be a severe cold wave. Districts of Rajshahi, Pabna, Dinajpur and Kushtia are currently experiencing that, whereas some other parts in Bangladesh such as Dhaka, Mymensingh, Barisal, Rajshahi, Rangpur and Khulna Divisions and parts of Srimangal and Sitakunda are currently experiencing light to medium cold waves.
According to the MET office, the cold wave is likely to continue till January 14, and one or two more cold waves are expected later this month. The weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country during this period. Moderate to thick fog may occur over the northern part of the country and the river basins and light to moderate fog elsewhere over the country from midnight to morning.
The cold wave has disrupted the lives of many in northern Bangladesh. Poor people, particularly the farmers and rickshaw-pullers, have been affected badly. Children and elderly people are the worst affected. Twenty-seven (27) persons has been reported dead.
The Bangladesh’s prime minister office has declared a donation of 1,799,750 pieces blanket, 5,975 pieces saree and 5,990 lungi for the badly affected districts by the cold wave and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR)3 has also allocated 1,011,100 blankets and 80,000 dry food parcels for the affected districts.
Red Cross and Red Crescent action
The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) NHQ and district branches have been monitoring the situation from the beginning of cold wave. Based on BMD weather report and secondary information of other online weather channels; BDRCS response department has started mobilizing blankets.
According to BDRCS district branches, reports of BMD and National Disaster Response Coordinator Centre (NDRCC); districts like Dinajpur, Panchagar, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Kurigram, Rangpur, Gaibanda, Bogra, Sirajganj, Jamalpur, Joypurhat, Mymensing Thakurgaon, Netrokona, Natore are badly affected due to this cold wave. Under this circumstance, BDRCS has procured 15,000 blankets for cold wave affected districts.
On 7 January, BDRCS has allocated these blankets in 43 districts and at the same time, BDRCS is trying to raise more funds to distribute an additional of 50,000 blankets to assist more people who are suffering due to this cold wave. The BDRCS NHQ has already delivered these blankets in respective BDRCS district branches. Currently, blanket distribution is ongoing in cold wave affected districts with the support of respective Red Crescent Youths (RCY), volunteers, executive members, secretary, vice-chairman and chairman. In addition, BDRCS district branches are trying to raise fund, and collect more blankets for cold wave affected people.
In country, Red Cross Red Crescent movement partners are also closely monitoring this situation. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Bangladesh Country Office has handed over another 4,000 blankets to Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) to be distributed among 2,000 families in five cold wave affected districts.
