Karachi has been ranked 9th most polluted city worldwide according to the Air Quality Index (AQI). The city recorded a reading of 156 on the particulate matter scale.
As air pollution levels in Karachi worsen with the dropping mercury, experts have advised citizens to wear masks to protect themselves from the hazardous air quality. The city’s minimum temperature has recently fallen to 15.5 degrees Celsius, accompanied by northern winds. The Meteorological Office forecasts further temperature drops in the coming days.
With such high pollution levels, health experts have classified Karachi’s air quality as “very unhealthy,” urging citizens to limit outdoor activities, particularly during peak pollution hours.
The current AQI levels in Karachi are cause for concern. An AQI reading between 151-200 is considered unhealthy, 201-300 is more harmful, and anything over 300 is extremely hazardous. During winter, the air becomes heavier, causing poisonous particles in the atmosphere to descend, resulting in increased pollution. This phenomenon creates a dense layer of polluted particles, including carbon and smoke, over the area pollution.
The pollution is largely attributed to smoke from factories, coal, garbage, oil, or tire burning, which enters the atmosphere and becomes more pronounced with the onset of winter, lingering throughout the season. While southwestern winds from the sea typically act as a natural air filter for Karachi, these winds are less prevalent in winter, contributing to heightened pollution levels.
