Winter has already arrived at the northern districts of Bangladesh including Thakurgaon, Panchagarh and Nilphamari. Meteorologists forecast that the north part of the country is likely to experience colder weather this winter, compared to last year.
The people of northern districts have started using blankets as well as warm clothes at night, especially during the latter hours.
As the winter almost arrived in the northern districts, the sales of warm clothes at the part of the country has already increased.
Meanwhile, the local administration has taken steps to ensure that no one in these districts suffers in the severe winter.
The effect of winter starts in the country from November every year. It has already started to get cold and chilly in the norther part of the country.
According to the Tentulia Meteorological Office, the humidity has been fluctuating between 12 and 13 degree Celsius for the last few days.
In this regard, the Officer-in-Charge of the Tentulia Meteorological Office in Panchagarh, Russell Shah said, that the humidity recorded at the beginning of the season this year was 13 degrees Celsius. Therefore, as the day goes on, the humidity of the air will decrease. At the same time, the intensity of winter will increase.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Thakurgaon Dr Kamruzzaman Selim said Thakurgaon district administration is working to ensure that no one in the district suffers from bitter cold this year. They have already received 25,800 blankets and requisition for one lakh blankets more have been sent to the ministry, he added. Meanwhile, with the arrival of winter the demand for quilt and blankets have soared in these districts and the quilt manufacturers are currently spending busy hours. Buyers complained that the price of each quilt has increased this year as compared to last year. Whereas, the sellers said, the price has gone up a bit due to the increase in cotton prices and artisan’s wages. But that is also within the reach of common public.
Abul Kashem, an artisan of Kalibari Cotton House, a quilt manufacturer in Thakurgaon town said, he has been making quilts for the last 40 years. Craftsmen are making 6 to 8 quilts a day. They are working from morning till 10 pm as the work pressure is high, he added. Another craftsman Sumon Islam said that in other seasons, they used to make 2 to 3 quilts a day, but now with the onset of winter, they are sewing 12 to 17 quilts every day.
Craftsman Ainul Haque said that different types of cotton including carpus, poly and Shimul are available here. Carpus cotton is best for making quilts. The current market price of carpus cotton is Tk 200 per kg.
Abdul Momin, the proprietor of Kalibari Cotton House, said that the sales of quilts have increased in November this year as compared to last year. However, compared to last time, the price of each quilt has increased from Tk 100 to 150. At present each quilts are being sold at Tk 1,200 to 2,000 depending on the size.
The owner of Mintu Cotton House, Mintu said that the buyer's pressure has increased due to the sudden onset of early winter. The artisans are working in nights as well, so they are facing a little bit of trouble. At present, the price of various quilt making materials is increasing causing the price of quilts to soar too.
