Nahida Hassan
Srinagar
The prevailing dry spell is taking a toll on the health of locals as a huge number of people are getting infected with chest related diseases in Kashmir.
According to health experts, continuous dry weather in the valley is posing serious health implications particularly among the kids and elderly ones.
Most of the patients visiting hospitals for last one month complained of respiratory ailments like asthma, bronchitis, or general dehydration since body fluids are depleted during respiration.
“Due to the continuous dry weather, hundreds of patients visiting hospital complained of severe cold, cough and headache and breathing related issues which could be allergy or viral infection,” said Dr Muhammad Lateef, an ENT specialist.
“The continuous dry spell and dip in temperature provide an environment for the growth of several types of viruses which can increase more risk among the kids and elderly people,” he said.
The doctor said that the number of patients suffering from allergy, skin, nose, throat and other respiratory infections have relatively increased in city hospitals.
While the month of September this year witnessed only 2 mm rainfall, in 2015 and 2014, the rainsfall was recorded 56.4 and 184.8 mm respectively in September, Director MET informed Kashmir Life.
However, he said that the month of October usually remains dry. Even in the past years, this month has witnessed dry spells.
Giving numerical details of the past years, the Director said, “During the years 1984, 2000, 2007 and 2016, the weather during the month of October has remained dry.”
