, Jan. 3 -- Severe cold has led to a surge in patients suffering from cold-related illnesses across Rangpur division, with 1,421 new patients admitted to Rangpur Medical College Hospital over the past three days and 103 deaths recorded from January 1-3.

Brigadier General Ashiqur Rahman, director of the hospital, confirmed the figures on Saturday, noting a significant increase in patients in the medicine and pediatric wards, where 37 patients died.

The Rangpur Meteorological Office reported extremely low temperatures in the division on Saturday morning, with Nilphamari's Saidpur recording 10.5degC, Panchagarh 10.6degC, Thakurgaon 10.7degC, Rangpur 11.2degC, Kurigram 11.5degC, Gaibandha 11.8degC, and Lalmonirhat 12degC. Dense fog is expec...