Early winter chill grips Bangladesh's northern districts
With the arrival of the Bangla month of Kartik, the signs of approaching winter are becoming increasingly visible across northern districts of the country as the surroundings remain blanketed in fog during the morning.
For the past few days, the rural areas across five upazilas in Lalmonirhat district have been wrapped in thick fog before dawn, while the cool morning breeze signals the onset of the cold season.
Today morning (20 October), dense fog covered much of the district, shrouding roads and golden paddy fields under a misty veil.
According to the Rajarhat Weather Office in nearby Kurigram district, the minimum temperature at 9 am was recorded at 23.7 degrees Celsius, with humidity at 92 per cent, indicating the seasonal transition.
"Whenever Hemanta (late autumn) arrives, we know the season of Nabanna is near. It's time for new rice and traditional rice cakes. This is when the villages come back to life," said Nur Mohammad, a farmer from Chalbala village in Kaliganj upazila.
Rural households have already begun preparing for the cold. Thin quilts and blankets are being brought out as chilly nights follow warm, sunny days, with residents feeling colder after midnight.
"When I woke up at dawn, the village was blanketed in fog. Some were heading for Fajr prayers, others gathered at tea stalls, enjoying hot tea and chatting. It felt like a different kind of joy," said Nur Habib, a resident of the Duhuli area.
Subal Chandra Sarker, officer-in-charge of the Rajarhat Weather Observatory, said, "We're observing changes in weather patterns. The early morning fog and light chill indicate a seasonal shift. The temperature may drop further in the coming days."
With ripening paddy, blooming flowers, and misty mornings, Lalmonirhat is now awash in the charm of Hemanta — a gentle reminder that winter is near, bringing with it the season of harvest and festivity.