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Karachi Chokes on Algae Smell: Foul Odor Grips City
16 Sep
Summary
- Decaying microscopic marine algae cause a strong foul smell in Karachi.
- Monsoon's end and regional weather patterns intensify the odor.
- Low-pressure system and air pollution contribute to the widespread stench.
Karachi residents awoke on Wednesday morning to a strong, unpleasant smell blanketing coastal areas. The source identified is the decomposition of microscopic marine algae, a natural event that intensifies as the monsoon season concludes.
Muhammad Moazzam Khan from WWF-Pakistan explained that changes in sea conditions following the monsoon's end in mid-September lead to the decay of abundant phytoplankton. This year's event, similar to one in 2024, is amplified by specific weather patterns.
Climate experts, including Fatima Yamin and a Pakistan Meteorological Department spokesperson, linked the smell's scale to a low-pressure system off India's coast. This system, combined with air pollution, created smog that circulated the odor throughout the city.
While the smell is expected to fade in days, similar incidents have impacted various Karachi neighborhoods. Past concerns about health risks from prolonged exposure to such conditions have been raised, suggesting potential effects on sinusitis.
