LAHORE - Persistent dryness and abundance of sunshine has caused the maximum temperature to rise 2-3 degree Celsius above normal value, making days warmer.
The nights, however, are cooler as clear sky is causing fast emission of radiations to the atmosphere, resulting in dropping the minimum temperature about 2-3C below normal.
“Though November is a least rainfall month. The average rainfall for the month is merely 4mm. The deviation is due to the reason that even 4mm rain has not been received. Longer sunshine period due to lack of rains and clouds has caused the maximum temperature to rise 2-3C above normal value. As such days are warmer as compared to the normal November at the same stage,” said meteorological expert Shaukat Ali Awan, adding, the same factors have made the situation otherwise during the nighttime.
“Clear sky after the sunset is causing fast emission of heat radiation to the atmosphere. It has caused the minimum temperature to drop 2-3C below the normal level. It is making nights cooler compared to the normal November at this period of time”, he said, adding, the same situation would persist as ‘no significant rain giving system is approaching the plains at least for a week’. He said that human interventions have made the situation worst for people living in congested urbanized areas like in Lahore.
“Concrete structures, network of roads, continuous construction activities and vehicular emission have caused considerable increase in temperature. This is why we are feeling more heat in Lahore as compared to Shahdara”, he said, adding, it has made people in congested areas at greater risk of getting weather related diseases like allergy. He advised people to take extra care to avoid diseases caused by prolonged dryness, cold and environmental pollution.
Accumulation of hazardous pollutants in the atmosphere due to lack of rains coupled with cold has put the citizens, especially children and elderly people at risk of getting weather related diseases.
“People should wear warm cloths, cover heads while going outside, take fruit, balanced diet and increase fluid intake to save themselves from diseases during weather transition,” Shaukat Ali Awan said.
“Skin dryness and allergy, common cold, pain in joints, respiratory tract infection, cough and flu are quite common these days,” said family physician Dr Abdul Rauf.
He advised extra care for asthma patients, elderly people and children.
“Avoid sharing handkerchief, towel and blanket with those already ill. Take multivitamins for increasing immunity. Apply moisturizers for avoiding skin dryness and rashes,” he advised.