PESHAWAR:
A severe cold wave persists in both mountainous and non-mountainous districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP). As a result, various seasonal diseases have spread due to the dry and cold climate.
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. Due to the dry cold of the plains, temperatures reach freezing point in the morning and evening, while in mountain stations the mercury usually drops to -2 to five degrees Celsius.
According to the Department of Health, the lack of rain will increase seasonal diseases. There are also concerns that pneumonia cases will increase among children due to the cold snap.
KP’s record-breaking winter has brought life to a standstill in the plains and upper regions, with Peshawar experiencing severe dust pollution leading to widespread cases of respiratory infections, colds, sore throats and dry coughs.
According to the Meteorological Department, there is no chance of rain in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa until the first week of January. In mountainous areas, especially in Dir, the formation of frost has made it almost impossible for traffic to move on the roads before 9 a.m. Similarly, staff members are finding it difficult to report to government offices on time. Upper Dir is also engulfed in historic cold weather with temperatures falling 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 most patients visiting hospitals suffer from infections with children between 8 and 10 years old being the most affected.
In areas like Kohistan, Ashiri Dara, Barawal and Lowari Pass, icy roads have become a common problem.
Drivers often have to wait until 9 or 10 a.m. for frost to melt before they can use the roads, disrupting the supply of essential items in urban areas and making it difficult for government employees to reach time to the offices.
A local doctor, Dr. Jahanzeb, advises parents to protect children from cold-related illnesses by ensuring they are dressed in warm clothing. It also suggests that people in general should avoid exposure to cold winds in the early morning hours to stay safe.
Last week, seven districts in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa were reported to have been gripped by bitter cold, with temperatures falling below freezing.
Residents in these areas have had to confine themselves to their homes to protect themselves from inclement weather. Even the provincial capital Peshawar has recorded a significant drop in temperature, reaching up to 1°C due to the cold wave in rural areas.
