ISLAMABAD: The prevailing wet spell in the twin-cities has proved to be a blessing for the allergy patients as continuous rain has significantly subdued the pollen count, which is likely to drop to around 100 particles per cubic metre (PPM) on Tuesday morning.

Almost all parts of the country are experiencing the second rainy spell this month.

“The readings are conducted at 9am everyday and it is expected that there will be a negligible count on Tuesday,” said an official of the Met office.

This is in contrast to the pollen count recorded at 9am on Sunday at 15,105 PPM, whereas it was more than 24,000 PPM on March 21.

“Rain drops dissolve the floating particles in the air and even flow off the settled pollen particles on leaves and other solid materials,” the official added.

The pollen count during these days last year was above 30,000 PPM, because of continuous dry sell in March (2013).

The current spell is the result of North West winds entering into Pakistan from the upper parts, which are expected to persist up to late Tuesday night.

However, the sky will be clear over Northern Punjab including the federal capital from Wednesday for another two to three days to be followed by another rainy spell from Friday.

“This would be the third spell in March and it would wash-off the pollen in coming days,” the official added.

Though the rain has eradicated the chances of pollen allergies, but people’s carelessness in the changing weather exposes them to cold, flue and cough.

“Apart from pollen allergies the other major factor for sickness in these days is carelessness,” said Dr Wasim Khawaja of Pims.

“People take ice-cream in the day when temperature relatively a bit higher thinking that summer has arrived, but it proves a health hazard for them. They need to be careful in this situation,” he added.

He said the symptoms of allergy and viral infections were similar, with both affecting the breathing mechanism.

The minimum temperature was 13 degrees Celsius at around 6am on Monday, while maximum 15 degrees Celsius during the day.

Chakwal received 50mm rain, Dir 49 mm, Risalpur & Saidu Sharif 43 mm, Murree 39 mm, Rawalakot 37 mm, Garhi Dupatta 31 mm, Lower Dir, Kalam & Abbottabad 30 mm, Kotli 29 mm, Peshawar 27 mm, Dadu 24 mm, Bannu, Muzaffarabad and Balakot 20 mm, Moenjodaro and Jhelum 18 mm, Mirkhani and Turbat 14 mm, Kohat and Bahawalnagar 13 mm, Dalbandin and Faisalabad 11 mm, D.I.Khan and Bhakkar 10 mm.