Cold wave claims 50 in Bangladesh

The overnight deaths were reported from northern Panchagar, Nilfamari, Kurigram, western Kushtia, Iswardi and central Comilla districts.An official in Dhaka’s meteorology department said despite "moisture incursion" from the Bay of Bengal, the cold snap was likely to continue until Sunday.

This winter’s lowest temperature of 5.6 degrees celsius was recorded on Friday in south-eastern Shatkhira district, with blinding fogs keeping temperatures down during the day.

The official BSS news agency said 61,000 blankets along cold weather clothing were rushed to the north and south-eastern hill regions for urgent distribution.

Thick fog continued toblanket the country, disrupting domestic and international flights, and road, rail and ferry services while homeless people set fire to piles of garbage to keep warm.

At least six people were killed on Thursday when a bus collided with a speeding truck in thick fog in central Aridpur district.

Elsewhere, doctors reported a sudden surge in cold-linked illnesses, including asthma and influenza.