Infections spread as K-P gripped by cold

Chest infection, throat, dry cough patients fill hospitals

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PESHAWAR:

The record-breaking winter in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has brought life to a standstill in the plains and upper regions of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, with Peshawar experiencing severe dust pollution. This has led to widespread cases of chest infections, colds, sore throats, and dry coughs.

According to the Meteorological Department, there is no likelihood of rain in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa until the first week of January.

In the upper regions, especially Dir, frost formation has made it nearly impossible for traffic to move on the roads until 9 am. Staff members are struggling to report on time to government offices. Currently, Upper Dir is engulfed in historic cold, with temperatures dropping to -4°C to -5°C, according to weather updates. The increasing cold is affecting people of all ages, causing chest infections, throat issues, and dry coughs.

Doctors report that the majority of patients visiting hospitals suffer from these infections, with children aged 8-10 being most affected. In areas like Kohistan, Ashiri Dara, Barawal, and Lowari Pass, frost on roads has become a routine issue.

Drivers often wait until 9 or 10 am for the frost to melt before they can start their vehicles, disrupting the supply of necessities to urban areas and causing challenges for government employees in reaching offices on time.

Dr Jahanzeb advises parents to protect children from cold-related illnesses by ensuring they are dressed in warm clothing. He also suggests that people in general should avoid exposure to cold winds in the early morning hours to stay safe.

Last week, seven districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa were reported to have been engulfed by intense cold, with temperatures dropping below freezing.

Residents in these areas have confined themselves indoors due to the severe weather. Even the provincial capital, Peshawar, has recorded a significant drop in temperature, reaching as low as 1°C due to the cold wave.

The minimum temperature in Swat's tourist spot Kalam dropped to -6°C, while Chitral, Upper Dir, and Malam Jabba recorded -4°C. Most districts in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa experienced cold and dry weather, with a strong cold wave persisting in the upper regions.