The city of Karachi has experienced a significant drop in temperature due to icy winds blowing from Quetta in Balochistan, increasing the intensity of the cold.
According to Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the minimum temperature in the city today was recorded at 12°C. However, the cold winds made the temperature 2 to 4 degrees colder than the actual temperature.
The morning fog caused a reduction in visibility, with a horizontal visibility of 2,500 meters being recorded. Forecasters have predicted that the weather will remain cold and dry for the next 24 hours.
Northeasterly winds 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 and the minimum 10°C.
On the other hand, the good weather, although welcomed by some, has caused an increase in health problems. As the city begins to feel the icy breath of winter, hospitals are bearing the brunt of its effects.
Dr Khalid Bukhari, Medical Superintendent (MS) of Karachi Civil Hospital, reported an influx of patients suffering from flu, colds, coughs and respiratory infections, with hundreds of them seeking treatment daily.
He advised residents to wrap themselves in warm clothing, cover their heads and consume nutritious broths and hot drinks to ward off illness.
Dr. Bukhari also urged caution for school-going children, stressing the importance of wearing long-sleeved clothing and hats. “Do not let children sleep under fans or ride a motorcycle without adequate protection, as direct exposure to cold wind can cause chest infections,” he warned.
The city’s Jinnah Hospital echoed similar concerns, reporting dozens of cases of pneumonia and flu in its emergency rooms.
Dr Abdul Wahid Rajput, medical superintendent of Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital and Research Center in Nipa, noticed a rise in measles and pneumonia cases due to falling temperatures.
He appealed to parents to monitor children for symptoms such as fever and skin rashes, advising immediate medical consultation.
