RAWALPINDI: The cold weather that has gripped Rawalpindi and Islamabad for the last three days got bitter after the mercury dropped to -1°C Celsius on Saturday.

As a result, many areas of the twin cities faced low gas pressure with some having no gas at all. There were also complaints of citizens falling sick with cold-related ailments.

“The upper parts of the country, including Rawalpindi and Islamabad, will remain under the cold wave, with no chance of rain in the next three days,” a Meteorological Department official told Dawn.

“Continental air is prevailing over most parts of the country. Very cold and dry weather is expected in most upper/central parts of the country and north Balochistan. Plain areas of Punjab will see dense fog/smog,” he said.

Met Office predicts no rain in next three days, dry weather to continue

The official said the minimum temperature in Rawalpindi and Islamabad was recorded at zero degree Celsius in the last two days which dropped to -1°C on Saturday.

It is not an unusual cold pattern as in December and January the twin cities witness a minimum temperature of -1 and -2°C.

“The lowest minimum temperature of -3.5°C was recorded in the twin cities on Jan 28, 1984,” he said, adding that due to global warming the weather pattern in the area was changing.

The official said Saturday’s -1°C was the lowest temperature recorded in the twin cities during the current season.

“Though clouds will appear in Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Sunday, there are no chances of rain in the next three days,” he added.

Meanwhile, living condition in the twin cities has become tougher as the residents are continuously facing low pressure of natural gas.

Most households have switched to alternatives, but it has created extra burden on their monthly budget. The price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has increased to Rs240 per kg.

“Due to the biting cold, children and elderly people are getting fever and other cold ailments. Natural gas is not only needed to prepare food but also for heating purpose,” said Nosheen Ahmed, a resident of Media Town.

Mohammad Salman, a resident of Arya Mohallah, said the government increased electricity tariff and people had no other option but to use wood and coal.

He said the use of LPG cylinder was risky, but there was no choice as gas had vanished in the last one month.

The number of people complaining of cold-related ailments has also shot up in the last few days. Doctors say most of the patients were children and elderly persons.

“The number of elderly people visiting hospitals with complaints of high blood pressure has also increased. Children are also reporting to hospitals in large numbers with complaints of cough, cold and skin ailments,” said a doctor at the Holy Family Hospital.

According to doctors, people should increase intake of liquid, especially soup, and cover their heads and ears to beat the cold. On the other hand, the cold wave has increased the sale of winter dishes and other edibles.

However, unlike the past years when stalls of traditional food items at Bhabara Bazaar, Saddar and Commercial Market pulled crowds, no such rush has been seen in these areas due to high prices.

Published in Dawn, December 19th, 2021