A distinct winter mood has settled across Cox’s Bazar, transforming the world’s longest sea beach into a landscape of mist and quiet beauty.
Dense fog blankets the shoreline in the early mornings, creating a serene and almost dreamlike atmosphere.
Over the past week, winter has made its presence felt across different parts of the country, and Cox’s Bazar is no exception.
On winter mornings, the sea beach remains wrapped in a veil of fog, through which the distant roar of waves and the soft glow of the rising sun gradually emerge.
Many tourists wait patiently for the fog to lift before heading to the shore to enjoy the sea.
Winter mornings and nights present two distinct yet equally captivating faces of Cox’s Bazar.
The tourist city reveals its charm in every season—while visitors marvel at the fierce and dramatic sea during the monsoon, winter draws crowds eager to witness tranquil sunrises.
The gentle winter sunlight brings a sense of calm and comfort, soothing both body and mind.
M Abdullah, a tourist visiting from Tongi in Dhaka with his family, said, “In the morning, the fog made it difficult to see the sea clearly, but the cool breeze was quite enjoyable. Once the sun came out after 9:00am, we were able to fully appreciate the beauty of the beach.”
On the ground, however, the dense fog and biting cold have slightly disrupted daily life in Cox’s Bazar. Drizzle-like mist and chilly winds have led to a rise in cold-related illnesses, with children and the elderly suffering the most.
The winter chill has also affected the livelihoods of the district’s poor and low-income communities, many of whom rely on daily wages.
At Goongachtala intersection in the city, day labourers Nazu, Bashar and Didar Alam were seen waiting for work on a cold morning.
“Work is scarce in the mornings during winter,” they said.
“People wake up late, so jobs are scarce. If this phenomenon continues, it will become very difficult to run our families.”
Rickshaw puller Nurul Alam echoed similar concerns. “Because of the severe cold, people don’t go out early in the morning. Fares are low, and by the end of the day it becomes challenging to manage both household expenses and market costs,” he said.
Assistant Meteorologist Md Abdul Hannan of Cox’s Bazar said, “Until around 9am, different parts of the district, including the sea beach, remain covered in fog. There is also a possibility of rain towards the end of this week.”
Cox’s Bazar District Hospital’s Resident Medical Officer (RMO), Dr Subuktogin Mahmud Sohel, advised extra caution during the winter months.
“Children and the elderly need special care in this season. Anyone affected by cold-related illnesses should seek medical advice promptly. Since the onset of winter, the number of patients with cold-related problems has increased, and we are providing treatment to the best of our capacity,” he said.
Despite the hardships, winter lends Cox’s Bazar a quieter, softer beauty—one that continues to captivate tourists while reminding locals of the season’s challenges.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
