EXTREMELY LOW TEMPERATURE IN BANGLADESH, 80 PEOPLE DIED

       Dhaka, 30 Safar 1434/12 January 2013 (MINA) – Cold temperatures strike Bangladesh, killing at least 80 people. Bangladesh experienced the lowest temperature in the last 6 decades.

       In the capital city Dhaka, the temperature touched 3.2 degrees Celsius, the lowest figure in the last 57 years, according to Xinhua reports received by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA), Friday.

       Excerpted from another source – Bangladesh Office of Weather – said the lowest temperature recorded in the northern city of Syedpur three degrees Celsius (37.4 Fahrenheit). As a result, some residents suffered respiratory problems due to low temperatures. The sky over Dhaka and most countries remain cloudy for several days, while many cars and buses run to turn on the lights, because the weather was foggy.

        Bangladesh Meteorological Department said, the previous lowest minimum temperature was recorded earlier in 1955 touched  3.9 degrees Celsius, when the country was part of Pakistan.

        “The temperature for the last two days is the lowest in the history of Bangladesh,” said Deputy Chief of the Office of Weather Bangladesh Shah Alam.

        Severe cold wave has been sweeping Bangladesh and making a normal life and business nearly stopped, especially in the north of the country bordered the Himalayas. In the northern region, the sun was reported unseen due to thick fog.

      “In Dhaka and elsewhere, hundreds of people became homeless, they have been facing a tough time due to this winter, especially children and the elderly people. The cold weather may continue for two to three days ahead, “said Alam.

        The Red Crescent Society said the rural poor people face the worst affected because many people can not afford to buy warm clothes or heater. Dead victims were reported due to diseases related to cold weather such as respiratory problems, pneumonia and cough.

       Global warming and the melting of ice at the north pole, was said as the cause of the dropped temperature in Bangladesh. “Extreme phenomenon is on the rise around the world and it will be increasing  due to global warming,” said Aninun Nishat, an environmental specialist.

       Bangladesh, which is a tropical country, temperatures usually drops only to 10 degrees Celsius. (T/R-020/R-006)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)