The condition of the poor section of people living at the slums and shanties of Rajshahi city and the rural areas of the district has turned miserable due to dip in mercury during the recent days. The low temperature associated with cool-breeze has intensified their miseries.
Even, the movement of people outside their houses remained restricted within nearby areas due to bitter cold and only a few came out of their houses except for emergencies and duties till noon as the fog often hangs over the region and the sunshine is not hot enough to warm the atmosphere.
The sales and bargaining at various markets of the city and the upazilas of the district are not geared up till afternoon.
The temperature of the district is, however, fluctuating between 10 to 11 degree Celsius respectively for the last couple of days. On Friday and Saturday early morning the day temperature recorded in Rajshahi was 9.6 and 9.5 degree Celsius respectively. The temperature is likely to drop further during the coming days, Meteorological sources in Rajshahi informed.
It is learnt, due to cool weather, the day labourers were even reluctant to come out of their homes in search of jobs. As a result, the construction sites of the city are experiencing an acute shortage of labourers. The villagers were seen a little late to wake up to go to their fields.
Alal Hossain(25), a waiter of a local restaurant at Uposhahar area of the city informed, though the selling at the city markets starts in the late morning, the restaurants of the city are filled with customers from the early morning around 8-00 AM. Moreover, many of the customers order their breakfast online or through mobile phones that is why they have to arrive at the restaurant early in the morning.
He added, for the last couple of days, the fog hung over the city and adjacent districts till 11 am when cool breeze did not make life any easier. Due to such cool weather many people now prefer to order their breakfast, lunch and supper from the restaurants.
Trucks and buses running through the roads and highways of the district were driving slowly to avoid a collision for the reduced visibility due to fog. The office goers are also learnt to wake up late and hurry to their offices. The annual examinations of the schools and other educational institutions being over, the students are now staying in their houses. Due to excessive cold, the holding of annual picnics of the schools and colleges are also being delayed.
On the other hand, while all the markets slowed down, the warm clothing markets seemed to be flourishing, Sweaters, jackets, woolen wrappers, socks and hand gloves were being sold like hotcakes.
The scavengers in the streets were seen gathering around a fire they made from collecting garbage and scraps from here and there. The vegetables and fish sellers were happy with having no problem as the cold weather kept their degradable products fresh for long periods.
