Severe cold wave persists across K-P

Hill stations record sub-zero temperatures, respiratory diseases spread among locals

Listen to article

PESHAWAR:

A severe cold wave is persisting across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's (K-P) mountainous and non-mountainous districts alike. As a result, various seasonal diseases have spread due to the dry and cold weather.

According to the Meteorological Department, there is very little chance of rain until January 5. The intensity of the cold will also persist during this period. The temperature reaches the freezing point in the morning and night due to the dry cold in the plains while the mercury often drops to minus two to five degrees centigrade in the hill stations.

According to the Health Department, the lack of rains will increase seasonal diseases. There are also concerns that pneumonia cases would go up among children due to the cold spell.

The record-breaking K-P winter has brought life to a standstill in the plains and upper regions, with Peshawar experiencing severe dust pollution which has led to widespread cases of chest infection, colds, sore throat and dry cough.

According to the Meteorological Department, there is no likelihood of rain in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa until the first week of January. In the hilly regions, especially Dir, frost formation has made it nearly impossible for traffic to move on roads before 9 am. Similarly, staff members are struggling to report on time at government offices. Upper Dir is also engulfed in historic cold weather with temperatures dropping to -4° to -5°C, according to weather updates.

The increasing cold is causing health problems among people of all ages, with doctors reporting that the majority of patients visiting hospitals are suffering from infections and children aged 8-10 are the most affected.

In areas such as Kohistan, Ashiri Dara, Barawal and Lowari Pass, frost on roads has become a routine issue.

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

A local physician, Dr Jahanzeb, advises parents to protect children from cold-related illnesses by ensuring that 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 of these areas have had to confine themselves indoors to protect themselves from 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 in the rural areas.