Press Releases
The pollen season started during first week of March, 2025 in Islamabad. After peak days, different episodes of wind storm and heavy rainfall with hail occurred in Islamabad. These weather phenomenons caused decline in pollen concentration. A consistent decline in pollen concentration has been observed over the past several days, indicating a steady downward trend. Therefore it is expected that pollen season would come to an end during the current week.
During the season, Paper Mulberry pollen grains count dominated in Islamabad's air, accounting for 98% of total peak with peak concentration reaching 45916 per cubic meter in air, this year. The remaining 2% constitutes Acacia, Eucalyptus, Pines, Grasses, Cannabis, Dandelion and Alternaria gained highest concentration < 400 per cubic meter in air. However, at the start of pollen season pines species count was more than paper mulberry. This year pollen concentration touched the peak values > 45,000 per cubic meter in air.
On March 19, 2025, highest pollen count observed in different sectors of Islamabad was 46132 for H-8, 12662 in sector G-6, 11277 in sector E-8, and 8474 in sector F-10 respectively. This year, the highest pollen count was recorded in H-8 sector of Islamabad. Pollen monitoring unit of Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) will be continuously monitoring pollen levels in H-8 sector throughout the year and will share updates on daily basis.
The Pollen spread has started in Islamabad and Rawalpindi and is expected to peak during the second to third week of March 2025.The pollen concentration gradually increases with the onset of spring season and attains its peak around full bloom of flowers. Pollen season typically ends by mid-April.
Paper Mulberry pollen dominates Islamabad's air, accounting for 94% of total pollen, with peak concentrations reaching 45,000 per cubic meter, remaining 3% constitutes Acacia, Eucalyptus, Pines, Grasses, Cannabis, Dandelion and Alternaria.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has installed surveillance devices in various sectors of Islamabad i.e., H-8, E-8, F-10 and G-6 to monitor airborne pollen levels.
People with asthma and respiratory diseases are severely impacted by the surge in pollen concentrations. To help them stay informed, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) will publish daily updates on pollen concentration data throughout the pollen season on their website (www.pmd.gov.pk) and through print and electronic media.
For pollen count queries, contact PMD at 051-9250364, 051-9250745 or email pollen@pmd.gov.pk.