Rajshahi residents suffer cold wave
Hundreds of poor people suffer in Rajshahi and its surrounding areas in lack of warm clothes as the region is swept over by a cold wave.
The season's lowest temperature in the region was recorded yesterday at 9.6 degree Celsius, with local weather forecast officials apprehending further fall in the temperature in coming days.
The cold wave, coupled with mist and wind, paralysed the day-to-day activities of the people in the district while the authorities are yet to begin distribution of warm clothes here.
Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner (DC) Abdul Hannan told The Daily Star that he has sought 10,000 warm clothes from the prime minister's office and 15,000 warm clothes from the relief ministry for the district's destitute.
“We also called upon the rich people to come forward in this regard,†he added.
He informed that about 10 to 12 percent of the total 24 lakh population of Rajshahi city and nine upazilas are ultra-poor, who usually suffer the most in this season.
A visit to Rajshahi Railway Station and bus terminal last night found groups of three to four poor people sharing one piece of blanket.
The DC said the district administration had a previous stock of 4,000 winter clothes that they sent to nine upazila nirbahi officers for distribution.
However, when contacted, Tanore Upazila Nirbahi Officer Kazi Ziaul Baset said 336 warm clothes were allocated for his upazila, but he is yet to receive the clothes.
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