Pakistan in icy grip of severe cold snap

50 dead in Bangladesh as severe weather conditions bite South Asia

ISLAMABAD: A bout of bitter cold swept across Pakistan on Sunday, as an icy continental weather front has dragged temperatures to as low as -21 degrees Celsius in Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department said dense fog and smog already gripping the county is likely to reduce visibility and could disrupt air, rail and road traffic.

The cold weather is very impressive for its duration, not relenting for at least three to four days over much of the country. While temperatures are moderate in southern parts of the country (lower Sindh), the cold is persisting in northern areas and much of the upper parts of the country.

The Met Department has forecast dense fog in Islamabad, most plain areas of Punjab and upper Sindh while in few districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa during morning and night hours on Monday.

According to the National Weather Forecasting Centre, cold and dry weather is expected elsewhere in the country while very cold in upper areas.

According to synoptic situation, continental air is prevailing over most parts of the country. During last 24 hour, Islamabad, most plains areas of Punjab and upper Sindh remained under the grip of dense fog.

Weather remained dry and cold in most parts of the country while very cold in upper areas during this time span. Lowest minimum temperatures recorded on Sunday were Skardu (-21°C), Gupis, Bagrote (-12°C), Astore (-11°C), Gilgit (-7°C), Kalam and Kalat (-5°C).

Due to harsh weather conditions, pipelines in the areas hit the hardest by the current cold wave burst after water froze and diesel in the fuel tanks of vehicles also froze. The suspension of gas supply and very low pressure increased the hardships of the people and the prices of coal, wood and kerosene oil skyrocketed.

The National Highways and Motorway Police have advised commuters to avoid unnecessary travel and use Humsafar mobile app for quick information about major routes.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minster Mehmood Khan to provide shelter and food to homeless people suffering from cold weather conditions.

“Given the extremely cold weather conditions I have asked CMs of Punjab & KP to ensure that no person is left out without shelter; & their administrations must take immediate action to provide temporary shelters plus food for those who cannot be accommodated in existing Panagahs [Shelter Homes],” the premier wrote on his Twitter handle on Sunday, with the cold spell has hit almost all parts of the country.

In Bangladesh, at least 50 people have died due to cold weather, with officials saying the country's lowest temperature this year was recorded at 4.5 degrees Celsius (40.1 Fahrenheit) early on Sunday in Tetulia, a border town in Bangladesh's north, the weather office said.

At least 17 people died of acute respiratory infection and 33 from diarrhoea caused by rotavirus and other diseases across Bangladesh from November 1 to December 28, said Ayesha Akhter, a senior official of the government's health directorate.

Hospitals have been crowded with people suffering from cold-related illnesses, such as influenza, dehydration and pneumonia, she said.

In neighbouring India, the biting cold wave continues to keep its capital New Delhi shivering, the lowest temperature on Sunday in the city was recorded at 3.6 degrees Celsius. This was 1.2 degrees higher than Saturday's record-breaking 2.4 degrees Celsius, India Today reported.

 

(With additional input from News Desk and AFP)