RAWALPINDI: The twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are in the grip of a biting cold as the mercury dipped to -2 degrees Celsius on Saturday.

The temperature has been at zero degree Celsius for the last three days and Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast more chilly conditions on Sunday. The cold spell, however, will subside next week.

The last coldest day in Islamabad was on Dec 15, 1984, when the temperature was recorded at -4.3 degrees.

“It is the coldest day this season but the temperature will rise in next three to four days,” said Khalid Malik, the spokesman for PMD, while talking to Dawn.

He said the intensity of the cold wave and fog would decrease slowly by the end of next week. Cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country while north Balochistan and upper parts of the country will remain very cold.

Dense fog is likely to prevail in plain areas of Punjab and upper Sindh during morning and night hours. Frost is likely to occur in Potohar region, including a few plain areas of Punjab, during morning hours.

Rain (with snowfall over hills) is expected at isolated places in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan on Sunday.

He said it was not unusual cold weather as in December and January the twin cities witnessed a minimum temperature of -1 and -2 degrees Celsius.

He said the snowfall in adjoining hills of Murree had added to the intensity of the cold wave.

Today’s lowest minimum temperatures (°C): Leh -16°C, Astore -12°C, Skardu -11°C, Gupis, Kalam -10°C, Hunza -09°C, Gilgit, Bagrote -08°C, Srinagar, Dir, Kalat -06°C, Parachinar -05°C, Quetta, Rawalakot and Murree -04°C.

With the start of the cold wave in the twin cities, the living condition became tougher for people who were already facing low pressure of gas.

Moreover, the number of people complaining of cold-related ailments has shot up over the last few days. Doctors said the patients were mostly children and the elderly.

Doctors have advised the people to keep themselves and their children and parents warm. They said people should increase liquid intakes, especially soups, and cover their heads and ears to beat the cold.

Traders in Rawalpindi also complained about low business for over a week. However, traditional food shops were doing a thriving business.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2020