ISLAMABAD, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) — The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Tuesday warned of an exceptionally high risk of a severe dengue outbreak in the country this season, particularly between Sept. 20 and early December, due to widespread flooding and favorable weather conditions.
In its first dengue alert of the season, the department said dengue risk rises sharply when temperatures stay between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius for several weeks, relative humidity exceeds 60 percent, and rainfall surpasses 27 mm, with effects lasting up to three weeks.
This year, prolonged monsoon rains, river overflows and water releases from reservoirs have inundated large parts of eastern Punjab and southern Sindh provinces, displacing millions and leaving villages submerged. Stagnant water and poor drainage have created highly favorable conditions for mosquito breeding, the department said.
The PMD warned that dengue transmission is likely to intensify from Sept. 20, with particularly high risk in major urban centers including Karachi, the southern port city; Lahore, Punjab’s capital; and Islamabad, the federal capital.
It urged health departments to intensify fumigation and water-clearing operations, and advised the public to remove stagnant water, use repellents and nets, and maintain hygiene in flood shelters.
The PMD warned that the combined impact of favorable weather and waterlogging has created an “unprecedentedly high” risk of dengue this season. ■