In a special advisory for the people suffering respiratory disease, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has said that harsh winter is over and spring has set in. Day and night temperatures are gradually picking up their normal rhythm giving rise to sprouting, flowering and fruit-setting in the territorial domain of the capital including Rawalpindi.
Rain is expected from 1-3 March in Islamabad and Rawalpindi followed by the clear skies. The pollen concentration will increase gradually with temperature and attain its peak around mid March. People suffering from respiratory diseases experience serious problems due to sharp increase in pollen concentrations. During March, four spells of rain associated with strong winds are expected each spanning over 2-3 days.
Under rainy and windy conditions, pollen concentration in air will fall temporarily. PMD will continue issuing warnings/advisories related to pollen and weather till the end of the season in mid April. PMD has installed pollen monitoring devices for spring season in EFG and H sectors of Islamabad. Pollen monitoring section of PMD monitors eight types of pollens ie Paper Mulberry, Pine, Dandelion, Cannabis, Acacia, Alternaria, Eucalyptus and Grasses. The Paper Mulberry is the most abundant among all and its concentration touches the extreme limits of about 40,000 per cubic meter of air at the peak of blossom season.
The PMD will make available information about pollen concentration in different sectors of Islamabad on daily basis to the TV channels, Radio and Newspapers. At the same time, it will be regularly uploaded on PMD website: www.pmd.gov.pk. Public may contact at following phone numbers for related information; 051-9250369, 051-9250364, 051-9250363and 051-9250334 or email at pollen@pmd.gov.pk for queries regarding pollen count.