30 kids die of cold
2006-01-05 17:55
Islamabad - At least 30 children have died of cold during the last three days in Pakistan's northern Gultary region, which has been cut off due to landslides and heavy snow, said a local senior health officer on Thursday.
District health officer Dr Iqbal Beig said pneumonia and respiratory tract infections caused most of deaths.
Beig said: "Cold-related diseases are normal among children during the winter, but this time we could deliver medicine in various mountainous areas because heavy snowfall blocked almost all roads there.
"We had arranged a helicopter service for supply of medicine, but it was disrupted by inclement weather."
On Wednesday, air relief operation for earthquake survivors resumed after heavy rains and snow that began late on Saturday grounded helicopters in northern Pakistan and its administered Kashmir.
At least 12 people including children reportedly died of cold in Kashmir devastated by October's earthquake that left some 75 000 dead and 3.5 million homeless.
- SAPA