Srinagar, Nov 20: As Kashmir’s temperatures drop, hospitals across the valley begin to witness a sharp spike in admissions of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma patients.

Doctors said the majority of emergency and casualty cases during winters are linked to COPD—an irreversible and progressive lung condition—largely triggered by smoking and worsening air pollution. They called for prevention, early diagnosis and enhanced respiratory care facilities in the region.

Dr Ghulam Hassan Khan, a chest disease expert, told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that COPD cases in J&K are increasing at an alarming rate.

“Most of the patients landing in casualty during the winter months are COPD and asthma patients. Smoking remains the leading cause. Quitting smoking is

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