At least ten persons including two minor children have died of severe cold during the last 24 hours in Multan, Muzaffargarh, Sargodha, Alipur, Rajanpur and Layyah.
Principal of Nishtar Medical College, Professor Dr Laiq Hussain Siddiqui said, "three patients admitted in the emergency ward died and number of patients having pneumonia, chest infection, asthama and other cold related diseases are still being admitted in the hospital every day."
District Health Officer Muzaffargarh, Dr Ashaq Malik has confirmed two cold related deaths in Alipur and Muzaffargarh, while EDO Health Sargodha has confirmed five cold related deaths. The victims of cold include Ghulam Bano (70) of Bashir Colony, Maula Bux (85) of Chak no 37 Shomali and Khurshid Bibi of Manawan. An unidentified beggar and a drug addict was also found dead on the footpath.
Cold wave gripped Multan and adjoining areas on Monday while the Pakistan Metrological Department has forecast similar conditions for the next two or three days. People of Multan have been experiencing severe cold since last Monday.
The mercury started dipping after the recent spell of rains, which hit this zone a few days ago. The temperature dropped to 1.6 degree Celsius on Sunday and remained the same on Monday.
The maximum temperature, which on Sunday was recorded at 16.7 degree Celsius, dropped to 16.4 on Monday. According to the Met office the cold and dry continental air had engulfed the country, especially the Punjab and Northern Areas, after the westerly clouds moved forward. It said north-westerly cold-waves prevailed in Kashmir and Northern Areas, which had lowered the temperature in the region.
Meanwhile, a thin attendance was noticed in educational institutions and government offices due to cold spell in Multan, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan divisions.
The extreme cold also reduced the number of people who used to go for morning and evening walks in different city parks. A rush was seen in second-hand cloth markets on Monday. People were seen purchasing sweaters, jackets and shawls. Meanwhile, the sale of gas and electricity heaters also increased.