Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan, experienced its coldest day of the winter season on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the minimum temperature recorded in the city was 9 degrees Celsius, which is the lowest in the last 10 years.
The cold wave has affected the daily life of the residents, who have to cope with gas shortages, power outages, and foggy conditions. Many people have fallen ill due to the harsh weather, and hospitals have reported an increase in the number of patients suffering from respiratory infections, asthma, and pneumonia.
The PMD has forecasted that the cold spell will continue for the next few days, and advised the people to take precautionary measures to protect themselves from the cold. The department has also issued a warning of frost and fog in the plain areas of the province, which may reduce the visibility and affect the road and air traffic.
The weather in Peshawar is usually mild and pleasant in the winter, with an average minimum temperature of 15 degrees Celsius. However, this year, the city has witnessed unusually low temperatures due to the influence of a strong westerly wave that has brought cold and dry air from Central Asia.
The cold weather has also increased the demand for warm clothes, blankets, heaters, and firewood in the city. Many people have resorted to burning wood and coal to keep themselves warm, which has contributed to the air pollution and smog in the city.
The PMD has urged the people to avoid unnecessary exposure to the cold and to wear warm clothes. The department has also advised the people to avoid burning solid fuels and to use clean energy sources to reduce the environmental impact of the cold wave.