Tropical Icicles!

I guess you all know about the cold spell in Europe, since BBC won’t shut up about it. However, there is a severe cold spell occurring in China and South Asia as well. All three seem to be interconnected. The massive cold front from the Arctic is to blame. Though many people won’t double think about freezing temperatures in Europe and China, a tropical country like Bangladesh doesn’t conjure up earmuffs and hot chocolate.

However, it has been bone-numbing cold these past couple of weeks. The freezing Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau are at the footsteps of Bangladesh; the high pressure system over the region creates extremely dry and cold temperatures during the winter months here. Yet, the worst culprit is the fog. This is the densest fog I’ve ever seen – sometimes you can’t even see your hands and feet in the morning. Bengal is noted for its thick fog due to its geographic location: warm air from the Bay of Bengal clashes with the cold, dry air of the Tibetan plateau, creating a dense layer of fog that remains in the plains of Bengal due to the lofty Himalayas surrounding it. This fog creates numerous problems. According to a local doctor, I now have asthma due to Dhaka’s smog. Ayi dios mio indeed.

Aside from showering in near-frozen water and breathing like an old grandma, it’s not all that bad. I can actually wear my scarves, Russian hat, and my earmuffs. Thank you global warming!

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