The recent warm spell at the end of the Bangladeshi winter month of Poush has come to an end, giving way to a noticeable drop in temperature across the country, including Dhaka. For four consecutive days, temperatures had been unusually high, but since Wednesday, a cold wave has begun to set in. Mornings in the capital are now shrouded in thick fog, with the sun only breaking through by midday.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, temperatures will gradually decrease in the coming days, potentially leading to a mild to moderate cold wave across the country. Daytime and nighttime temperatures could drop by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius, exacerbating the chill due to dense fog and cold winds. On Wednesday, the lowest temperature was recorded in Jessore at 12.8°C, while Sitakunda experienced the highest at 30°C. In Dhaka, the minimum temperature dropped to 16.3°C, compared to 18°C the previous day.

Meteorologist Afroza Sultana confirmed that temperatures are already declining and could remain low for several days. Hafizur Rahman added that the combination of cold winds and heavy fog is intensifying the perception of cold, with one or two mild to moderate cold waves expected in the last 10 days of January.

Meanwhile, cold-related illnesses such as diarrhea, pneumonia, and respiratory issues are on the rise, particularly among children and the elderly. The International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) reported a doubling of diarrhea cases in recent days. Hospitals in district towns are also seeing an increase in admissions due to cold-related illnesses.