The Independent newspaper said 30 people, mostly children, the elderly or sick, died in the past several days in the northwestern Rangpur and Rajshahi districts, which are prone to chilly Himalayan winds. No government figure was available.

At least 100 people die from the cold each year in Bangladesh, which also sees a deadly toll from the hot summers.

The lowest temperature recorded Tuesday was 9.2 degrees CelsiusFahrenheit) in the southwestern Chuadanga district, several degrees Celsius below normal, an official at the meteorological department said.

Voluntary organisations are preparing to send warm clothes for the poor in the affected areas, officials said.

TERRA.WIRE