People across the country are enduring the severest cold wave in the last 45 years and may experience two more chilly spells in the current month. The mercury hit 45 year low on 10th Jan 2013, with the minimum temperature recorded at 3 degrees Celsius in Saidpur.

January 21, 2013

This year Bangladesh has experienced its coldest winter in the last forty-five years, with temperatures dropping to two degree Celsius in some areas in the North. The cold wave began sweeping across the country around the middle of December and based on the three-month forecast (December 2012 to February 2013) from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), moderate to severe cold waves will continue through January.

Those who suffer most are the extreme poor, many of whom have no proper shelter and therefore no defense against the cold.

01/10/2013 06:46 GMT

DHAKA, Jan 10, 2013 (AFP) - A cold snap which saw temperatures drop on Thursday to their lowest point in Bangladesh's post-independence history has killed around 80 people, officials said.

The weather office said the lowest temperature was recorded at three degrees Celsius (37.4 Fahrenheit) in the northern town of Syedpur and the Red Crescent said hospitals were packed with patients suffering respiratory illness.