Dhaka, Jan. 12 -- Life across all five upazilas of northern Lalmonirhat has slowed to a shiver as the biting cold of Poush tightens its grip.

With an unrelenting cold wave sweeping the region, quilts and mattresses have become the primary shield against the freezing nights, leaving local quilt makers with barely a moment to breathe.

At haat-bazars and roadside shops across Lalmonirhat Sadar and surrounding areas, business is booming.

From dawn to deep night, the courtyards of quilt makers echo with the rhythmic khat-khat of sewing machines, as artisans wash cotton, stuff layers and stitch tirelessly to keep up with soaring demand.

Over the past few days of continuous cold, demand for quilts and mattresses in rural areas has multiplied...