Karachi’s temperature is expected to dip further tonight, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasting a minimum temperature between 13°C and 15°C. The city has already recorded a low of 16.5°C in the past 24 hours, accompanied by 76% humidity. With clear skies and cooler nights ahead, the city is officially entering the winter season.
The drop in temperatures is attributed to winds from the northeast, blowing at 6 km/h, which are contributing to a slight chill in the air. The PMD also noted that the coming days will remain mostly dry, with no significant rainfall expected.
Smog and Poor Air Quality Plague Karachi
However, while the weather brings relief from the summer heat, Karachi residents continue to face a worsening air quality crisis. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has been fluctuating around “very unhealthy” levels, with Karachi ranked as the sixth most polluted city globally and the fifth in Pakistan. An AQI reading of 173 is a concerning sign of the ongoing pollution problem.
This pollution is largely driven by a combination of high vehicle emissions, industrial activity, and seasonal crop burning. The cooler temperatures, along with light winds, have trapped the pollution over the city, leading to persistent smoggy conditions.
Despite the rising health risks associated with poor air quality, there has been little action to address the crisis. The lack of significant efforts to improve air quality is contributing to the deteriorating environmental conditions in Karachi.
