ISLAMABAD: Mild, dry weather and ground moisture following recent rainfall in the capital has led not only to the sprouting of flowers but also to an increased pollen count in the area.

Recordings by four Met Office stations have found that the total pollen count in Islamabad reached almost 60,000 particles per cubic metre (PPCM) of air, which is the highest it has been on March 17 in the last five years.

The massive surge was due to the start of the germination process of paper mulberry trees, which released 59,669 PPCM of pollen while the remaining count was due to other plants.

The high pollen count is due to massive vegetation spread across the capital, and the varieties planted not only by the Capital Development Authority but also by Islamabad residents. In comparison, Lahore recorded 135 PPCM of pollen on Saturday.

The Met Office has warned that individuals with any sensitivity to pollen and mould will experience symptoms, which will increase in severity if individuals are extremely sensitive.

The highest amount of pollen releases were recorded in H-8, which had a count of 32,878 PPCM – higher than the count of all the other areas in the city.

Last year, the pollen count from H-8 crossed 40,000 PPCM between March 21 and March 29; the highest pollen count in recent history was recorded on March 26, 2005, at just over 48,000 PPCM.

Pollen growth can only be averted by rain and heat, which either drown or kill off particles as temperatures near 30°C respectively.

However, rainfall is not expected at the end of the month, and soft clouds bearing winds from the west in the coming days will increase flowering in grasses, plants and trees.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2018