Dense fog paralyses life in twin cities

Islamabad, Pindi grapple with flight delays, health concerns & business slump

RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD:

The persistent absence of rain has  cast a dense fog over Islamabad  and Rawalpindi, causing chaos  in the twin cities as it disrupted daily life while impacting road  and air travel. Early morning flights, both domestic and international, faced  delays and disruptions, as did rail  services and vehicular movement  on city roads and motorways as  visibility  dropped  to  a  mere  50  meters in some areas.

The  Islamabad  International  Airport was enveloped in fog by  11pm on Saturday, causing further complications for air travel. The  adverse  weather  conditions  are expected to persist, affecting  daily  life  and  raising concerns about the well-being of residents. Surge in pneumonia The chilling temperatures, exac- erbated by the lack of sunlight,  have led to a surge in pneumonia  cases.

Hospitals are witnessing  over 200 patients daily with complaints  related  to  extreme  cold  conditions. Doctors are advising people to  stay warm, cover their heads and  ears, and increase liquid intake,  particularly soups, to minimise  the effects of the dry cold. The  health  department  emphasises  the necessity  of  staying  warm  and  wearing  masks to combat the adverse effects of  the fog.

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As the fog’s intensity gradually increases from 8pm until sunrise,  the darkened skies contribute to  a heightened cold atmosphere. The  fog  poses  significant  challenges for schoolchildren, commuters, and employees, making  daily routines difficult. According  to sources,  public hospitals  are  witnessing  a  rise in pneumonia cases, particularly  among children.

Doctors advise  parents to safeguard their chil- dren from the cold and discour- age  outdoor  activities  during  foggy conditions. Environmental  experts  assert   that the escalating fog can only be alleviated by rainfall, which  not only  clears  the air  but also   mitigates  the  severity  of  the  cold.

Talking  to  The  Express  Tribune,  Dr Ijaz Ahmed, Chief Executive  Officer  of  the  District  Health  Authority, highlighted the continuous  surge  in  fog  intensity, leading  to a corresponding  in- crease in cold related respiratory  diseases. “The ongoing drought exacerbates the situation, contributing  to a spike in pneumonia cases,”  he said. Dr Ahmed urged the residents of  the  twin cities  to adopt  precautionary measures, including  wearing warm clothes and masks  and consuming hot water, when  leaving their homes in the foggy and cold conditions