Pakistan is preparing for what could be one of its coldest winters in decades, as the La Niña weather pattern strengthens, according to a recent UN-OCHA report. The agency warns of extreme cold spells that could heavily affect flood-hit areas, especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, where thousands of families remain exposed to harsh conditions.
Experts predict the cold wave will disrupt Kharif crop harvesting and increase the risk of glacial lake outburst floods in the northern regions. In urban areas, smog levels are expected to rise, worsening air pollution and respiratory illnesses.
The report also highlights concerns over the spread of seasonal diseases like dengue and cholera, fueled by damaged sanitation systems and limited access to healthcare. With over 1.2 million hectares of crops destroyed and 229,000 homes damaged in recent floods, many families are still without proper shelter or heating.
Authorities and humanitarian groups are urged to mobilize relief operations, focusing on emergency shelters, warm clothing, and medical assistance for vulnerable communities.
As temperatures continue to fall, the United Nations emphasizes the need for coordinated national efforts to protect those at risk and mitigate the humanitarian crisis that could follow this record-breaking cold season.
