Health experts warn against indoor stove use as Nuwara Eliya battles cold snap

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama 

Residents of Nuwara Eliya have been increasingly using stoves indoors to cope with the region’s extreme cold, prompting health experts to caution against unsafe practices. 

Dr Chathuru Weerasinghe, a respiratory specialist at Nuwara Eliya General Hospital, noted that some households are even bringing stoves inside after using them to roast meat, in an effort to keep homes warmer. He warned that such practices could lead to serious health risks, including smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Authorities and medical professionals are urging residents to follow safety guidelines when using stoves indoors to stay warm without endangering their health during the ongoing cold spell. 

Sri Lanka experienced a sharp temperature drop on January 22, with Nuwara Eliya recording a minimum of 3.5°C, the lowest in recent years, highlighting the unusually chilly conditions affecting the hill country.