Environment experts have predicted that the winter season will only last for a few days this year as carbon levels in the city have increased to an alarming level, Daily Times learnt Tuesday.

“The increasing number of vehicles, small industrial units and use of different domestic and commercial electric gadgets has raised the carbon level in the city,” said environmentalist Ishaq Mangrio. His team recently conducted a carbon analysis of the city and found that the carbon particulars in the city are higher than the standard level.

“People are excessively using electric equipment in houses, shops and offices and most of these gadgets produce gases that directly affect the general environment. Furthermore, cutting down trees in the urban areas has also worsened the situation.”

These gases are emitted all the time and have formed a thick layer around the city. “Karachi is a port city and experiences winter earlier than other cities of Sindh and it also lasts here for a longer time. However, with the increase of gases there has been a reverse effect and we fear that the forthcoming winter season would last for a comparatively shorter time,” he added.

Apart from this study, the provincial environmental department of Sindh also plans to initiate a programme to analyse carbon levels and other gases that cause air pollution in the city. “We know that air pollution is worsening and have recently planned a ‘vehicular emission control programme’ to monitor the effects of these gases,” said provincial minister for environment, Dr Sagheer Ahmed. “We are planning to hire 30 air-pollution experts and modern equipment for this programme.”

In the program, air-monitoring machines would be installed at different spots in the city to measure the carbon level. “The expert will first investigate the real causes behind the rise in air pollution and will then recommend safety measures. Citizens will be trained in the programme which will start in the next few months.”