ISLAMABAD: Cloudy weather and rainfall on Saturday has helped contain the pollen count in Islamabad.

Pollen count in the capital was limited to 6,345 particles per cubic metre (PCM) in H-8, and in the heavily-populated G-6 area it was recorded to be just 1,332 PCM. The majority of pollen release is from paper mulberry.

This time last year, pollen count in the capital reached 43,330 PCM and in 2017, it was 39,857 PCM.

“The main reason for the low pollen count this year is regular rainfall and cloudy weather conditions,” a Met Office staffer said.

The official added that those suffering pollen allergies often find relief on rainy, cloudy or windless days because pollen movement in such conditions is limited.

“Hot, dry and windy conditions result in higher pollen and mould concentrations, and increased allergy symptoms,” the official said, adding: “Because pollens are microscopic particles they are easily spread over great distances by wind.”

The main pollen spreading vegetation in Islamabad is paper mulberry, eucalyptus, pines, grass, dandelion, acacia and cannabis. Due to the vegetation and moisture, many varieties of fungi also release pollen and mould in the air.

There are traditionally around nine rainy days in March, but Islamabad this year witnessed 11 days of precipitation, resulting in little time for plants and trees to release their spores into the air.

However, with limited chances of rainfall the pollen count could rise with the temperature in the coming days.

Pollen season continues until mid-April, and spores start to die down when daytime temperatures rise beyond their survival capacity.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2019