Daily Times

At last, the winter is around. Met Office forecast that a cold wave is set to grip the country. The wave will bring plummeting temperatures, snowfall in mountainous areas and rain across the upper and central regions.

The news of the picturesque snow in Murree and other hill stations is a visual delight. It is likely to attract an influx of visitors to hill stations, and the administration has only a couple of days to make arrangements. The weather update also signals tough days ahead for the government as well as the people. This sudden drop in temperatures has implications far beyond the weather forecast.

Health concerns top the list. Exposure to extreme cold can lead to respiratory illnesses, especially in children and the elderly. Hospitals are likely to see a rise in flu and pneumonia cases. People without adequate heating in their homes will be particularly vulnerable. Rural areas, with limited access to medical care, may bear the brunt of this cold spell.

Gas and power shortages, recurring nightmares during winters, are likely to worsen the situation. Chilling days mean more demand for heating. The irony is many households already struggle with low gas pressure and outages.

This forces families to rely on costly and often unsafe alternatives such as LPG-run heaters and kerosene heaters. It only adds to people’s financial woes.

Public awareness campaigns about staying safe in cold weather can also play a vital role in preventing health crises. For tourists heading to Murree or Galliyat, authorities must enforce safety measures, as accidents on icy roads are common during snowfall.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department’s warnings for frost and gusty winds are also a reminder for farmers to take precautions. Frost can damage crops, worsening the food supply challenges the country already faces.

The coming days demand preparation and caution for both the authorities and the public. *