ISLAMABAD: The pollen count in Islamabad was at its highest in nine years on Tuesday at 82,270 particles per cubic metre of air (PPCM).

The occasional light rains, warm days and cool nights and soft winds helped flowers bloom in the green areas of the capital which pushed the pollen count up.

The cool nights help the flowers maintain their freshness, while the warm sun during the day provides the energy to the flora and fauna to produce higher pollen grains and spores, while the medium intensity wind spread them to a wider area.

The highest recorded pollen concentration last year in the city was 74,301 PPCM.

The very high pollen release is mainly due to the blooming of paper mulberry, followed by grasses and various fungi, while cannabis found abundantly in Islamabad, has also started to release its spores.

The highest pollen count was recorded in H-8 at 43,330 PPCM , surpassing the nine-year record of 43,780 PPCM recorded on March 17, 2009, while the highest ever pollen count in recent history was at 48,080 PPCM on March 26, 2005.

The met office has said that rains and thunderstorms with gusty winds are expected at isolated places in Islamabad, Kashmir and central Punjab during the coming two days, which is likely to help reduce the spread of pollen grains.

Meanwhile, a pollen allergy camp was established by the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration and the Aabpara Community Centre on Tuesday.

The camp received 348 patients on its first day including 227 men, 103 women and 18 children, according to District Health Officer Dr Mohammad Najeeb Durrani.

“The camp provided symptomatic treatment for allergy patients, mostly affected by inhaling paper mulberry tree spores. The pollen count is at its highest this week. The camp provides allopathic, homeopathic and tib medicines to patients at different counters so patients can receive the healthcare of their choice,” he said.

The camp will continue till March 20.

The district administration had decided to establish the camp due to the increasing pollen count in the federal capital. According to a notification issued by the ICT administration, the Rural Health Centre Sihala In-charge Dr Haroon Iqbal has been nominated as the in-charge of the pollen allergy camp. Drug Inspector Sardar Shabbir is responsible for arranging medicines and ensuring their timely supply at the camp.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2018