'Quetta winds' drop Karachi's temperature

Karachi's temperature drops to 12°C as cold winds from Balochistan increase winter intensity.

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The city of Karachi has seen a significant drop in temperature due to the chilly winds blowing from Balochistan's Quetta, increasing the intensity of the cold.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the minimum temperature in the city today was recorded at 12°C. However, the cold winds made it feel 2 to 4 degrees colder than the actual temperature.

The morning fog led to a visibility reduction, with the horizontal visibility recorded at 2500 meters. Meteorologists have predicted that the weather will remain cold and dry for the next 24 hours.

Winds from the northeastern direction are expected to blow at speeds of 5 to 20 km/h throughout the day.

The maximum temperature for the next 24 hours is expected to be around 25°C, with the minimum temperature hovering at 10°C.

On the other hand, the brisk weather, while welcomed by some, has brought a surge in health concerns. As the city begins to feel winter's icy breath, hospitals are bearing the brunt of its effects.

Civil Hospital Karachi's Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr Khalid Bukhari, reported an influx of patients suffering from flu, colds, coughs, and chest infections, with hundreds seeking treatment daily.

He advised residents to bundle up with warm clothing, cover their heads and consume nourishing broths and warm beverages to fend off illnesses.

Dr Bukhari also urged caution for school-going children, stressing the importance of full-sleeved clothing and hats. "Do not let children sleep under fans or ride motorcycles without adequate protection, as direct exposure to cold winds can lead to chest infections," he warned.

The city's Jinnah Hospital echoed similar concerns, reporting dozens of pneumonia and flu cases in their emergency wards.

Dr Abdul Wahid Rajput, medical superintendent of the Sindh Infectious Disease Hospital and Research Centre at Nipa, noted an uptick in measles and pneumonia cases due to the plummeting temperatures.

He appealed to parents to monitor children for symptoms such as fever and rashes, advising immediate medical consultation.