Daily respiratory cases spike to 150 in Karachi amid weather shift

A sudden weather shift in Karachi has sent hundreds to the hospital with complaints of breathing and respiratory disease, as more than 150 cases are being reported in the city regularly, according to an official in a Civil Hospital. 

The Civil Hospital Emergency in-charge stated that they were examining at least 150 patients with respiratory problems in a single day since the weather changed instantly. 

Notably, since Sunday, Karachi has been experiencing hot and dry weather with a sharp increase in temperature.  

A health expert in the Civil Hospital expressed concern over the increase in respiratory disease among the children, stating that the children were coming with complaints of sore throat, runny nose, and cough.

Read: Karachi heatwave: When will temperature drop in port city?

He directed people with asthma and other respiratory issues to avoid low-quality drinks during Ramadan, and citizens should wear masks while leaving their homes. 

Experts attributed the sudden increase in respiratory issues to ongoing weather condition, as dry and hot weather, with gusty winds prevailing in Karachi. 

The Pakistan Meteorologist Department (PMD) forecasted in its advisory that the mercury was expected to touch 34-36°C in daytime. However, the weather would remain dry and hot.

However, there was a possibility of a slight decrease in temperatures from March 13 or 14.