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He said some 45 patients were getting admitted every day with cold-related issues. The number was under 30 two weeks ago.

Shahana Akter, a new mother, said she took her 15-day-old child suffering from breathing difficulties to the hospital .

Doctors said most patients had respiratory problems, pneumonia, diarrhoea, asthma, and jaundice.

In Naogaon Sadar Hospital, some 90 patients were receiving treatment yesterday, said hospital sources.

Thakurgaon Sadar Hospital is also witnessing excessive number of patients with cold-related diseases. There were patients on the floors, in corridors and even in staircases.

“Some 148 children with pneumonia, diarrhoea and respiratory diseases have been admitted to the pediatric ward where there are only 45 beds,” said Firoz Zaman, superintendent of the hospital.

Lutfa Begum, 23, of Haripur upazila, said, “My six-month-old son is suffering from diarrhoea. As we could not get a bed, we have been staying on the floor for the last three days.”

Sazzad Haidar Shahin, a consultant of the pediatric department, suggested that the parents keep their children indoors during cold waves.

In Lalmonirhat, some 560 patients suffering from cold-related diseases were receiving treatment at different hospitals, said Civil Surgeon Nirmalendu Roy.

In Kurigram, the situation is similar. Some 980 children and 240 elderly people had treatment for cold-related diseases in hospitals over the last five days.

The Met office yesterday evening forecast moderate to thick fog at places between midnight and morning. Rain is unlikely. Yesterday’s lowest temperature, 8.7 degrees Celsius, was recorded in Tentulia of Panchagarh.

[Our correspondents from Rajshahi, Thakurgaon and Lalmonirhat contributed to the report]