Severe Cold and Dense Fog Disrupt Life in Syedpur; Road and Air Traffic Affected

PNN News Desk, Syedpur

In Syedpur Upazila of Nilphamari, severe cold and dense fog are severely disrupting daily life. From night until noon, and sometimes throughout the day, the area remains covered by a blanket of fog. This has caused extreme difficulties for traffic on the Syedpur–Dhaka highway. Additionally, farmers are concerned about their winter crops.

On Thursday morning (January 8), the lowest temperature recorded in Syedpur was 9.3°C. Due to dense fog from early morning, all types of vehicles, including buses and trucks, had to drive slowly with headlights on.

Passenger Monowar Iqbal, traveling from Dhaka by bus, said that after crossing Rangpur, the impact of fog and cold increased. After passing Gaibandha, visibility was limited to about 20 feet, which was quite frightening.

Ataur Rahman, a driver for Nabil Transport, said the fog was so dense that although the horn of the neighboring vehicle could be heard, it was not visible. To avoid accidents, he had to drive very slowly.

The dense fog also affected Syedpur Airport. Airport authorities stated that fog prevented visibility of the runway from the air, disrupting takeoff and landing. They hope the situation will return to normal once the fog clears.

Meanwhile, farmers are worried about their crops due to the severe cold and icy winds. Rafiqul Islam, a farmer from Botolagari Union, said that winter crops such as seedlings, potatoes, and chilies could be damaged due to the cold. Other farmers in the Upazila also shared similar concerns.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Dhiman Bhushan advised covering seedlings with polythene at night to protect them from cold damage. He also recommended holding water in the fields to prevent fungal attack and then releasing it in the morning. For better yields, he suggested farmers follow the guidance of agricultural officers and apply necessary nutrients.

Locman Hakim, acting officer of the Syedpur Airport Weather Office, stated that at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, the temperature was 9.3°C, and it may decrease further in the coming days. He urged everyone to remain cautious under these conditions.