20000106

10 die as cold wave sweeps Bangladesh

DHAKA: A cold snap that has hit Bangladesh this week has left at least ten people dead, local media reported on Wednesday as Dhaka remained blanketed by thick fog.

The daily Mukatakantha put the figure at 10 in northern Bangladesh, while newspapers said five deaths were reported during the past two days from Thakurgaon and nearby Sirajganj district.

Officials at Dhaka's Zia International Airport said more than 10 international and domestic flights of different airlines were delayed or diverted to other airports on Tuesday and Wednesday due to poor visibility.

Transport officials said the dense fog also disrupted rail, road and ferries.

Meteorologists in Dhaka blamed a "contact between a cold front and moisturised southern winds for the foggy weather, pushing the lowest temperature down to 8.2 degrees Celsius in the tea-growing Srimangal district of northeast Bangladesh.

The current cold wave is expected to continue for several more days.

The official BSS news agency said the relief ministry has rushed more than 24,000 blankets to 22 districts for urgent distribution among the poor and homeless. AFP