Karachi Plunges into Toxic Smog, Ranks 4th Most Polluted City Worldwide
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Karachi is currently grappling with hazardous smog, a severe air pollution phenomenon that poses significant health risks, particularly to children. The city's minimum temperature dropped to 17 degrees Celsius, creating a perfect storm for the formation of toxic smog. Data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department shows a steep decline in temperature, while the Air Quality Index (AQI) report ranked Karachi as the fourth most polluted city in the world. Health experts have warned that the situation is dire, with children being the most vulnerable to respiratory illnesses. To mitigate the risks, they recommend wearing face masks, eating nutritious food, and avoiding unnecessary outdoor activities. However, experts say that implementing these precautions is challenging, especially for children, who are struggling with dust allergies and a high incidence of chest infections. According to Ved Vaswani, associated with Burhani Hospital and Al-Mustafa Medical Centre, the situation has worsened in recent weeks, with a surge in cases of chest infections and pneumonia among children. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, representing the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), echoed these concerns, emphasizing the importance of healthy eating habits and protecting children from the cold. As the city battles toxic smog, residents are advised to take necessary precautions to safeguard their health. The situation is expected to persist until the weather improves, and authorities are urged to take immediate action to address the root causes of air pollution in Karachi.
