United News of Bangladesh

In a rare twist of weather in the middle of Chaitra, a wintry chill has swept  Faridpur, with dense fog enveloping the district and worrying farmers particularly onion growers. From early Sunday morning, a thick blanket of fog covered fields, roads and homesteads, creating an environment like more a winter dawn than the late dry season.  Even after sunrise, the sun remained obscured for hours as mist lingered, reducing visibility and slowing the rhythm of the morning. A mild, cool breeze added to the unusual atmosphere giving many residents the sense that the seasons had momentarily lost their way. Yet life in rural areas carried on.  Farmers were seen heading to the fields with their cattle, while households went about routine chores. Women members of farming families were busy parboiling paddy in courtyards, as they would on any other morning. “It feels like winter has returned,” said Ashutosh Malo, a farmer from Bhimpur village in Boalmari upazila. “We don’t usually see such dense fog in Chaitra. It is uncomfortable to work in the fields, and I fear it may not be good for crops.” His concern is shared by many, especially onion growers who are now at a crucial stage of cultivation.  Farmers worry that prolonged fog and excessive humidity could harm onion plants, increasing the risk of leaf rot and fungal infections, ultimately affecting yields. According to the district weather office, the situation is linked to seasonal transition.  A slight drop in night-time temperatures combined with high humidity has led to the formation of dense fog in the early hours. Abdus Samad, in-charge of district weather conservatory centre said such conditions may persist for the next few days and advised farmers to take precautionary measures, especially for sensitive crops like onions. “Instead of the usual heat and harsh sun of Chaitra, this sudden chill has given nature a different look,” said Advocate Shahiduzzaman Liton, a nature enthusiast. “But it has also created fresh concern among farmers. Such abrupt changes are not a good sign.”