Srinagar, Dec 20: As the harshest part of winter, Chilla-i-Kalan, begins in Kashmir with temperatures already below freezing, doctors have advised extra precautions to avoid respiratory and other illnesses.
Dr Murtaza Ahmad, a general physician at the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK), said the ongoing severe cold wave in Kashmir can exacerbate respiratory issues, particularly among children and the elderly.
He said children and the elderly are more vulnerable due to weaker immune systems. “Children’s immune systems are still developing, making them less effective at fighting off infections like colds, flu or pneumonia, while ageing leads to a decline in immune function, reducing the ability of elderly individuals to combat respiratory infections,” he said.
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Dr Showkat, a child specialist, said that children’s smaller airways are more prone to inflammation and blockage caused by cold air. Meanwhile, chronic conditions like asthma, bronchitis or COPD are common among elderly people, and cold weather further exacerbates these issues by constricting airways.
“Breathing in cold air can cause bronchospasm (tightening of airway muscles), leading to difficulty in breathing, particularly in children and the elderly,” he said.
Children with conditions like asthma or allergies are at higher risk of exacerbations during cold weather, while elders with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease or emphysema are more susceptible to respiratory problems.
Dr Showkat further said that children’s bodies are less efficient at maintaining core temperature. This, he said, increases the risk of hypothermia, which can worsen respiratory distress. Similarly, ageing reduces the body’s ability to sense and respond to temperature changes and leads to complications.
Doctors have advised people to keep living spaces warm but well-ventilated to avoid indoor pollution, ensure children and elderly people dress in warm, layered clothing, provide a balanced diet with plenty of fluids and immunity-boosting foods, avoid outdoor exposure during extremely cold or foggy conditions and seek medical advice at the first sign of respiratory distress.
They said children and elderly persons should avoid unnecessary outdoor activities, especially during early mornings and late evenings when temperatures are lowest. “Maintaining hydration, nutrition, proper ventilation and vigilance for symptoms of hypothermia or frostbite—such as shivering, numbness, or confusion—is crucial,” they added. “Immediate medical attention must be paid if these symptoms occur.”
Chilla-i-Kalan, the 40-day period marking the harshest phase of winter in Kashmir, begins annually on December 21 and lasts until January 31. During this time, temperatures often plunge below freezing point, freezing water bodies like Dal Lake and water supply lines in several areas.
