ISLAMABAD: A severe cold wave has spread across Pakistan, prompting the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to issue alerts for northern regions and Balochistan.
According to the NDMA, extremely cold weather is expected to persist in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while upper areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will also continue to experience harsh winter conditions.
Authorities have warned that the intense cold could damage crops, advising farmers to take precautionary measures to protect their harvests.
In Karachi, cold winds have further lowered temperatures, particularly during the night and early morning hours. The Pakistan Meteorological Department reported a minimum temperature of 14°C, with the current temperature around 16°C.
Despite the cooler weather, Karachi’s air quality remains dangerously poor. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has ranked the city as the fifth most polluted in the world, prompting officials to urge children, the elderly, and people with respiratory illnesses to take extra precautions.
Meanwhile, Lahore continues to experience cold and dry weather, with the temperature recorded at 7°C. The Met Office has forecast that the cold and dry conditions will persist, with no rainfall expected in the coming days.
The NDNA said it continued to monitor the situation and have urged citizens, particularly in vulnerable regions, to remain cautious amid the ongoing cold spell.
