Karachi awoke to a weird fishy smell yesterday, leaving its residents confused and worried about the cause. The smell in Karachi has primarily affected the following areas: Azizabad, Gulberg, Federal B Area, and Gulshan.
Some people are suggesting that the smell has been traced back to the source- nothing but decomposing marine organisms known as Noctiluca scintillans, or sea sparkle. Such an occurrence usually occurs after the conclusion of the monsoons when high pressure and a lull in the sea breeze trap the aroma in the air.
When the monsoon winds die away, phytoplankton blooms begin flourishing off the coast. As they decompose, these microorganisms emit an odor that’s sharp, fishy, and fantastically malodorous. Don’t fret, good citizens; it’s safe to breathe easy again; it should dissipate once the sea breeze goes back to normal, expected to happen in a couple of days.
