A severe cold wave prevails all over the country. Apart from this, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said light rain/ drizzling are likely to occur in the next three days. According to BMD information, moderate to dense fog is likely to fall over the country from midnight to morning, and it may continue till afternoon at some places. In this situation, the following urgent advisories are given to protect the standing crops:

• In this condition of fog and winter, 3-5 cm of water should be retained in the seed bed of Boro rice.
• For protection against cold outbreaks and normal growth of crops-

• Cover the seed bed with transparent polythene at night.
• Take out the water from the seedling in the morning and add new water again.
• Every morning, shake off the accumulated dew on the saplings.

• Current weather conditions may attack potato late blight. Spray every 7–10 days with fungicides of the Mancozeb family at approved rates for control.

• Alternaria blight can occur in mustard. Spray 3 to 4 times after 10–12 days of the approved dose of Eprodione fungicide as soon as the disease appears.

• Provide regular light irrigation to fruit trees to protect them from the damaging effects of cold. Cover young fruit trees with straw/polythene sheet to protect them from cold wind.

• Avoid irrigation in wheat fields. Make sure that water does not accumulate on the ground.

• Surround cattle and poultry houses with chaat/black cloth and keep high-voltage bulbs burning.
• Ensure that there is enough water in the pond to avoid the harmful effects of low temperatures. Apply lime (250–500 g/decimal) to ponds to protect fish from various bacterial diseases.