Rajshahi, Jan 13 (V7N) — The city of Rajshahi and its surrounding upazilas have been enveloped by thick fog and unusually cold weather over the past few days, causing severe disruption to daily life and creating serious concerns for local farmers. The ongoing cold and fog have particularly affected Boro paddy cultivation, with seedbeds in multiple areas at risk of damage.
Since early Monday morning, the city and neighboring upazilas remained covered in dense fog, with sunlight barely visible. Cold winds combined with the fog slowed down traffic on urban roads, while long-distance buses, trucks, and freight vehicles also faced delays. Most residents avoided leaving their homes unless necessary due to the harsh conditions.
The agricultural impact is significant. Farmers in Paba, Godagari, Tanore, Mohanpur, and Bagmara upazilas reported yellowing and rotting in paddy seedbeds caused by prolonged fog and insufficient sunlight. Many seedlings have begun to decay, raising concerns over timely transplantation for the Boro paddy season.
Saiful Ali, a farmer from Paba, said, “Without sunlight for consecutive days, it is extremely difficult to keep seedlings alive. Fog accumulation is starting to damage our seedbeds. If proper measures are not taken immediately, we could face heavy losses.” The local agriculture office warned that prolonged fog could lead to fungal infections in seedbeds and advised farmers to ensure proper drainage, sprinkle ash as needed, and provide light watering in the early morning.
The severe cold has also hit daily wage earners, rickshaw pullers, street children, and other vulnerable populations the hardest. Many were seen lighting fires on footpaths early in the morning to combat the cold. The lack of adequate warm clothing has intensified the hardship for the poor.
Ibrahim Hossain, a rickshaw puller in the city, said, “If we go out early, our hands and feet freeze. Fewer passengers are coming, and our income has dropped.” Another rickshaw driver, Rokibul Islam, added, “Due to fog and cold, people are staying indoors. Even after running our rickshaws all day, we cannot earn enough to cover expenses.”
According to the Rajshahi Meteorological Office, the minimum temperature on Monday was 10°C, while the maximum reached 14.8°C, with humidity at 76 percent. Officials forecast that cold and foggy conditions may persist over the next few days.
The extreme weather has paralyzed life in Rajshahi and created a precarious situation for agriculture. Farmers are calling for immediate government support and effective guidance from the agriculture department. Various groups have also urged intensified distribution of warm clothing to support vulnerable populations affected by the severe cold.
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