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What's the reason behind foul smell along Karachi's coastline?

End of monsoon, decline in wind speeds affect marine vegetation system, says WWF-P official

September 16, 2026
A view of sunset during cloudy weather of summer season at Manora Beach in Karachi. —PPI/File
A view of sunset during cloudy weather of summer season at Manora Beach in Karachi. —PPI/File

KARACHI: The foul smell reported along Karachi’s coastline has been attributed to decaying phytoplankton, with changes in sea temperatures causing large quantities of the marine organisms to die and wash ashore.

In a statement, World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan's (WWF-P) technical adviser Moazzam Khan said the odour along the coastal belt is due to the rotting of marine plants.

According to Khan, changes in sea temperature cause large numbers of phytoplankton to die and wash up along the coastline.

The end of the monsoon and the decline in wind speeds generally affect the marine vegetation system, he said.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast the port city's weather to remain hot and humid today.

According to the Met Office, low pressure over the Arabian Sea has weakened further, with sea breezes expected to resume in Karachi from this evening.

The department said that winter could be prolonged in the northern and upper parts of the country, while winter rainfall may remain above normal nationwide.