Kurigram, a district in northern Bangladesh, has been grappling with a relentless spell of severe winter weather, significantly impacting the daily lives of its residents. The sun has been notably absent from the sky, with dense fog enveloping the region day and night. The minimum temperature in the district has dipped to 11.5 degrees Celsius, exacerbating the already challenging conditions.

The onset of the blistering cold has led to a surge in winter-related illnesses, particularly affecting both adults and children. Reports from Kurigram indicate a rise in cases of cold, fever, cough, shortness of breath, and pneumonia, prompting a strain on healthcare facilities. Hospitals are grappling with an overwhelming influx of patients, leading to a shortage of beds and resulting in some individuals receiving treatment on the hospital floor.

In the last 24 hours alone, Kurigram General Hospital has admitted a total of 62 patients with cold-related diseases and 31 new cases of diarrhea, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

Parents, deeply concerned for their children's well-being, have voiced their distress. Farid Sheikh, a parent whose child is receiving treatment at the hospital, expressed, "My one and a half-year-old child has been suffering from cold and fever for a few days and has been vomiting since yesterday evening. I brought him to the hospital in the morning, and the treatment is ongoing."

Lipi Begum, another parent, shared her experience, stating, "I arrived at the hospital yesterday afternoon because my child has a fever due to the cold. The incidence of cold has been particularly high in recent days."

Nurse Zulekha Begum, attending to the surge of patients, acknowledged the strain on medical staff, revealing, "Many new patients have been admitted to the children's department and the diarrhea ward of the hospital in the last three days. The cold weather is exacerbating the prevalence of these diseases, adding to our daily stress."

Dr. Shahinur Rahman Sardar, Resident Medical Officer at Kurigram General Hospital, shed light on the regional challenges, stating, "As this district is located near the Himalayas, the incidence of cold here is relatively high. Most of the patients seeking treatment hail from the Char region."

Efforts to mitigate the impact of the cold wave have been initiated, with winter clothes distributed in advance. However, the provision falls short of the demand, prompting individuals to resort to burning straw by the roadside in a bid to keep warm.

District officials have also taken steps to provide relief, with over 42,000 blankets distributed across 9 upazilas of the district. However, the need remains pressing, as the relief and rehabilitation officer, Abdul Hai Sarkar, revealed, "Currently, we have no stock, and we have submitted a demand for an additional 30 thousand blankets."

In the face of these challenging circumstances, the district administration has issued a set of recommendations to prevent cold-related ailments, urging residents to wear warm clothing, utilize protective gear when venturing outside, maintain personal hygiene, and seek medical attention promptly if affected by a cold.

As Kurigram braces for the continuation of the thick fog and a projected mild cold front in the upcoming week, the community remains vigilant in addressing the health and well-being of its residents during this severe winter onslaught.