Dense fog continues to haunt capital

Children at high risk of illnesses caused by prevailing conditions

ISLAMABAD:

Dense fog blanketing the capital city, like other parts of the country, has caused complications for traffic on the roads as visibility remains reduced through the night and early hours of the day.

The unusual dense foggy conditions prevailing in the capital ascribed by weather experts to the absence of rain during this winter season, which in turn is attributed to climate change, has not only disrupted road traffic but flight operations as well.

The persistent fog coupled with the winter’s cold is also causing diseases among citizens, especially the elderly and children who have low immunity levels. According to health experts, it is the elderly and children who are suffering from seasonal diseases, especially influenza, cough and fever. The number of pneumonia cases among children has also witnessed a surge during this month.

Read: Dense fog paralyses life in twin cities

Health experts have suggested taking diets that can boost immunity to fight seasonal diseases. They urged citizens to revert to organic foods and handle such issues with home remedies. Those with serious conditions especially continuous fever have been instructed to contact the health providers immediately.

“While living in the federal capital for the last 20 years, dense foggy conditions with reduced visibility levels like this are unusual for me," said Maimoona Ali, a mother of three who commutes for work from Rawalpindi to Islamabad daily. "My children have suffered from prolonged sickness including influenza, cough and high fever twice during the past months,” she said.

According to the weather experts, dense fog is likely to continue in Islamabad, the plain areas of Punjab and K-P during the next few days.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 23^rd, 2024.