Record low temperatures in Bangladesh

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DHAKA, Bangladesh, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Bangladesh has recorded its lowest temperatures in nearly 60 years, an unexpected result of global warming, scientists said.

In the capital of Dhaka and elsewhere in the country the temperature dropped to 37.7 degrees F Wednesday, the lowest temperature in the last 57 years, China's Xinhua news agency reported.

That surpassed the previous lowest minimum temperature of 39 degrees, recorded in 1955 when the country was a part of Pakistan, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department said.

The severe cold wave sweeping through normally tropical Bangladesh brought normal life and businesses to a near standstill, officials said.

The cold weather may continue for two to three days, meteorologist Shah Alam said.

Experts are blaming the cold temperatures on more intense cold fronts resulting from global warming melting polar ice.

"Extreme events are on the rise throughout the world and they will continue to increase further due to global warming," said Aninun Nishat, an environment specialist.

"We're part of the world. So, we're also feeling here the pinch of the global warming."