As mercury levels drop, experts have encouraged Karachi residents to wear masks to protect themselves from the city’s dangerous air pollution.
With strong northern winds, the port city’s minimum temperature plummeted to 15.5 degrees Celsius. The Met Office has forecast additional temperature drops over the next few days.
According to the Air Quality Index (AQI), Karachi was listed as the ninth most polluted city in the world on Monday morning.
The city’s particle matter reading on the air quality index was found to be 156.
Health experts had already called Karachi’s air quality “very unhealthy” and recommended residents to limit their time outside, particularly during the hours when pollution is at its worst.
AQI level
It should be noted that an AQI level of 151-200 is deemed unhealthy, while readings between 201 and 300 are more detrimental and readings beyond 300 are exceedingly dangerous.
With a minimum temperature of 15.5 degrees Celsius owing to northern winds, the Met Office predicts further decreases in the dangerous air pollution that Karachi’s citizens must deal with. The city currently ranks 9th on the Air Quality Index (AQI) globally, with a particulate matter reading of 156, classifying its air quality as “very unhealthy.”
Health professionals warn people to avoid outdoor activity during peak pollution hours, wear masks, and caution that an AQI of 150–200 is unhealthy. The problem is made worse by winter, when the air becomes denser and dangerous particles settle, building up a coating of smoke and carbon emissions. This is a wintertime phenomena that affects citizens more in the beginning of the season.
The southwestern sea winds, which normally filter the air in Karachi, don’t go away throughout the winter. This circumstance emphasizes how vital it is to take preventative action and raise public awareness in order to lessen the health hazards connected to the city’s declining air quality. To address and mitigate the multifaceted causes of Karachi’s pollution problems, cooperation between the populace, government agencies, and environmental efforts is essential.
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