The residents of the chars are in dire straits as the harsh winter bites. “We are struggling in the cold while the country is busy with the election; nobody brings anything for us,” lamented the locals.
Climate change is gradually altering weather patterns, making winters and summers longer while increasing the gap between maximum and minimum temperatures. A mild cold wave is blowing, and the intense chill has paralyzed daily life. Fog and icy winds cover the region, including Charfesson town and its surrounding villages. With the national election underway, markets and bazaars in the char areas have seen reduced crowds, and people are avoiding going out unless necessary. Under these conditions, day laborers and impoverished families are facing unbearable hardship, particularly those in char and embankment areas.
Approximately 100,000 low-income residents live in the char areas of Charfesson Upazila. Local administration’s preparation for winter relief is minimal. The hardships are more severe for people in remote river-bound areas. The prevalence of cold-related diseases has increased. Most char residents live below the poverty line, relying on fishing, farming, and daily wage labor for their livelihood. For them, all seasons are equally harsh. Even when it is freezing, they must venture out early in the morning to earn a living. Two meals of rice, warmth from fire in the evening, and a thick blanket at night are what they consider sufficient.
The intensity of the cold has risen in the past few days, paralyzing life in the southern region. Foggy mornings, hiding sun, and the chilly winds make it feel as if rain is coming, though no rain has fallen. Over the past few days, dense fog and cold waves have left char residents shivering. Cold-related illnesses such as pneumonia, asthma, cold allergies, and diarrhea have surged. Compared to mainland areas, the situation in the chars is worse. Most residents lack adequate winter clothing to protect themselves from the cold.
Over the last four days, more than 300 people in Charfesson have fallen ill due to cold-related diseases, according to the Upazila Health Complex. Dr. Shovon Bhattacharjee, UH&FWO, said that children and the elderly are most affected, and advised keeping children indoors during early morning and evening hours and ensuring they wear warm clothing.
In the char areas of Charfesson Upazila, people like Momena Begum of Dhalchor struggle with the icy winds in their thatched homes. Nasima Begum of Charpatila has dew dripping through the tin roof of her low house, while Abdul Majid of Kukrirchor cannot stay warm even with all his blankets combined. Thousands of residents along the coastal chars are suffering in this severe winter.
Momena Begum, a day laborer living with her son-in-law after her husband’s death, said, “Where will I get winter clothes? I have nothing. Everything is gone with the river. I wear an old torn sweater and wrap myself in a thin blanket.”
In other remote char areas, residents such as Mariam Begum (40), Hafeza (27), and Zainab Bibi (30) said, “We cannot even afford to buy a proper quilt. Whatever little we earn from daily labor is not enough to run our households.” Moneza Khatun (74) of Hasina Char, widow of the late Monsur Ali, complained that during winter, very few blankets are provided to the poor. “The country is busy with the king’s election, but no one thinks of us,” she said.
Local residents including Ripon Howlader, Ranjit Babu, and Kalu Sardar of Hajirhat and Daskandi in the Upazila sadar said that such extreme winter has not occurred in the last 20 years. The condition of poor families is dire, and they have not yet received any winter clothing. According to the Upazila Relief Office, only a small portion of the requested winter supplies has been allocated.
