Season of mists and sneezes
Respiratory illnesses are on the rise in the hill country due to the cold weather, and caution is being urged especially for children and the elderly and those travelling upcountry from milder weather regions.
“During this time of the year, people suffer from cold allergies that lead to wheezing and other respiratory tract infections,” Bandarawela District Hospital Director Dr. Leelananda Gallage said.
This received corroboration from Diyatalawa Base Hospital where a senior health official said lung diseases were more prevalent during this time of the year, mostly associated with the cold weather. “Respiratory infections are on the rise, cold cough, asthma, and wheezing are some of the most common illnesses suffered by people,” the official said.
Meanwhile, drivers have been alerted to severe mist conditions on upcountry roads that could cause accidents.
Bandarawela police said while driving through mist, people are warned to use the double emergency light of the vehicle together with the headlights even during the afternoon. “The Road Development Authority has erected luminous posts at every two feet to guide drivers along road bends,” police said.
Fortunately, a police officer added, people tended to be more careful when driving during bad conditions, so accidents were fewer than normal.
The Meteorological Department said that thun- dershowers are expected in the North, North Central, Uva, Central, and Eastern Provinces whilst Hambantota and Puttalam districts will also experience similar weather conditions throughout the day. Rainfall in these areas can be expected to exceed 75mm, with mist in the mornings.
Heavy thundershowers can be expected over sea and coastal areas from Batticaloa to Colombo via Trincomalee, Kankasanthurai, Mannar and Puttalam, with wind speeds up to 40 to 50kph.