Watch out! Mercury is down to 16°C at Jebel Jais

Doctors are warning residents about possible health risks as temperatures across the UAE dip. On Jebel Jais, the UAE’s highest peak, mercury has dipped down to as low as 16°C.

Doctors in Ras Al Khaimah have warned the public about asthma and respiratory disorders that result from direct exposure to cold air. “Staying in open areas, especially on mountains like Jebel Jais where temperatures are lower, can result in health problems, mainly respiratory disorders,” said a doctor.

Children and the elderly are more vulnerable to these conditions due to their low immunity, said Dr Enjy Ibrahim. “People should be careful during this transitional period when the temperature starts going down.”

The emergency staff at the Saqr Hospital in Ras Al Khaimah said that they see an increase in the number of people who complain of respiratory problems during this time due to unstable weather conditions and dusty winds.

Dr Efat Radwan, a senior ENT specialist, said dusty winds have affected the health of many people, particularly children. “Most of the children I have treated recently were sneezing, coughing and having running noses and respiratory disorders.”

They were also suffering from inflammation and irritation in their mouths, eyes and ears, he added.

Dr Mohammed Abdulhamid, an ENT specialist, said changing temperatures have led to conditions for an “unseasonal influx of pediatric diseases”. “The number of children hospitalised has significantly increased over the last few days due to the unstable weather conditions.”

Most of the children were suffering from diseases relating to respiratory problems like bronchitis and pneumonia. “Children, especially those with weak immune systems, are more likely to catch respiratory diseases.”

Fog and mist covered Sweihan, Madinat Zayed and other parts of UAE. The weather department issued a warning about fog formation with poor visibility of less than 500 meters in UAE.

The temperature is like to fall today, according to the National Center of Meteorology and Seismology. The forecast for today is fair in general during daytime, while being partly cloudy and hazy at times.

Source: Khaleej Times