Cold wave disrupts life in Rajshahi

Daily life in Rajshahi has been severely disrupted by the ongoing cold wave. Although fog density remains relatively low, biting cold winds have significantly intensified the chill, leaving the poor and working-class people in the worst condition.

On Friday night, January 9, around 8pm, about 70 people were seen spending the night under the open sky at Rajshahi Railway Station, wrapping themselves in plastic sacks to protect against the cold. Many were visibly shivering.

Locals said the severe cold has brought normal life in Rajshahi district to a standstill, with little difference between urban and rural areas. The impact of winter is evident everywhere. Day labourers and low-income workers are suffering the most, while those sleeping outdoors appear to have no one to look after their plight.

A woman from Ishwardi in Pabna, aged 50, was found lying near the main gate of the railway station, wrapped in plastic. She said she had suffered three strokes, leaving her unable to speak properly or move her limbs, and added that a single blanket would be a great help.

Rajshahi district relief and rehabilitation officer Md Abdul Hai Sarkar said several limitations have emerged in distributing winter clothing. Previously, elected public representatives handled distribution, ensuring that about 95 percent of genuine beneficiaries received assistance due to proper identification. With no representatives currently in place, verification has become difficult, allowing some undeserving individuals to benefit.

Meanwhile, winter clothes are being distributed by various politicians and social workers. However, a railway porter, who wished to remain anonymous, said irregularities were visible this year. He claimed that many genuinely poor and sick people fail to receive even a single blanket, while others collect multiple blankets and sell them to porters, vehicle staff, shopkeepers or auto-rickshaw drivers.

An auto-rickshaw driver said Bangladesh Army personnel distributed winter clothes on Wednesday and Thursday, but on Friday night most people at the station had no blankets. Local residents echoed the same concern.

Locals said cold weather has disrupted normal life, forcing people to stay indoors unless necessary. However, day labourers and homeless people are compelled to go out in search of work despite the extreme cold. They demanded immediate distribution of winter clothing and emergency assistance for the vulnerable.