In This Post:
– Latest Updates About Gas Leak in Karachi
– Safety Measures to Adopt
– How to Detect a Gas Leak
– Symptoms of Gas Poisoning
– Dos and Dont’s
– Important Points to Consider
– Areas Badly Affected by the Gas Leak in Karachi
Latest Updates about Gas Leak in Karachi
Update (21 February, 2020): As per the latest updates regarding the toxic gas leak in Karachi, several petrol stations have shut down as petrol supply is severely affected. Most of the oil companies have their storage units at the Kemari Port. Since the infamous lethal gas leak in Karachi has killed several people, many oil companies have closed their terminal, affecting the petrol supply in the metropolitan city. People are filling up their tanks in fear of oil shortage in the city.
The number of patients admitted to the hospital affected by the gas leak is now 400. Around 20 paramedic staff and 2 doctors, who were treating the patients have also been admitted to the hospital, after developing the same set of symptoms.
Update (19 February, 2020): The exact cause and place of the fatal gas leak in Karachi is still unknown. A special team from Pakistan Navy, wearing gas masks, who are trained in nuclear and biological defense matters are carrying out the chemical analysis. Meanwhile, the people of Kemari Town, including those living in the Railway Colony, Jackson Market, Sikandarabad and Masaan Road are suffering from the prevalent toxic gas leak. The death toll has risen to 14 and around 300 people have been affected so far.
To determine the cause of gas leak in Karachi, the specimens of those patients who had been admitted in hospitals for treatment, were collected and sent to the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) at the University of Karachi and also to Aga Khan University Hospital for detailed investigation. The ICCBS concluded that soybean dust is the cause behind the gas poisoning. However, the Sindh Advisor on Environment suggested that high levels of hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide were found in the air. The vessel carrying the soyabean from the US has been removed from Karachi Port. Pakistan State Oil has also closed its oil terminal in Kemari for the time being.
Karachi’s air quality dropped to a new low this week as a mysterious poisonous gas leak in the port city killed at least 14 people while making 100 others sick.
Panic gripped the city as people living on the coastal belt suffered the most from a poisonous gas leak in Karachi. The problem was highlighted when a large number of residents of Kemari Town, which lies near the main port where container ships are docked and offloaded, rushed to nearby hospitals with severe respiratory problems. As the incident made national headlines, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah issued directives to evacuate the affected areas and shift to marriage halls of a safe locality.
In this blog, we will discuss all important aspects of the toxic gas leak—its causes, how we can detect it, the common symptoms of gas poisoning, and the necessary safety measures to prevent illness.
Toxic Gas Leak in Karachi: What Safety Measures You Should Take
If you live near the coastal belt or have your office near Kemari Town, the epicenter of the toxic gas leak in Karachi, then you should adopt these safety measures.
- Evacuate immediately if you smell any pungent odours
- Carry a mask or wear it when going outdoors
- Avoid unnecessary travel, especially in the last three days
- Don’t allow the air outside to enter your house
- Seal all doors and windows to protect the air quality at home. You can also improve the air quality at home
- Wear safety goggles to avoid itchiness in eyes
- Contact 911 if you experience foul odour like rotten eggs
Before adopting the safety measures above, it is equally important to know how you can detect a gas leak in your area. Let’s take a look.
How to Detect a Gas Leak
It is hard to detect a gas leak because you can’t see it. Some of the most common toxic gases are accompanied by a pungent smell like hydrogen sulfide. However, other toxic gases like carbon monoxide are both colourless and odourless so it gets even harder to detect.
As per the latest updates on the unfortunate gas leak incident in Kemari, the residents have complained of a “rotten egg smell”.
Symptoms of Gas Poisoning in Karachi
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, then you should immediately get yourself checked because it is quite likely that you are suffering from gas poisoning. As mentioned, the worst part about a gas leak is that you can’t see it—unless the gas has a colour. You can either detect it by smelling it or by experiencing its harmful effects. Keep a close check on these common symptoms and if you are experiencing any of these, visit your nearest hospital and get yourself examined by a qualified doctor.
- Burning and irritation in eyes
- Severe cough
- Difficulty in breathing
- Cramps in abdomen
- Vomiting
- Dizziness and light-headedness
You should also take a look at some of these dos and don’ts during a gas leakage.
Some Dos and Don’ts with Regards to the Gas Leak in Karachi
- Keep a check on the air quality levels in Karachi
- Keep an eye on the news and catch up on the latest updates
- Don’t allow children to venture out of the house unattended
- Don’t speculate. There is no virus in the gas leak detected
- Asthma patients or those already suffering from respiratory problems must remain indoors to avoid further complications
Here are some important points to consider with regard to the lethal gas leak incident in Kemari.
Important Points to Know Regarding the Gas Leak in Karachi
- The cause of the gas leak in Karachi is still under investigation. Sindh Adviser on Environment Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that Hydrogen Sulfide could probably be the cause of gas poisoning in Karachi. However, investigations are underway to find out what caused the gas leak and how it can be prevented from spreading
- Remember that hospitals in Clifton and Kemari have a rush in their emergency awards. So avoid going to hospitals in these areas
- General face masks are ineffective in areas which are badly affected by the gas leak. Immediate evacuation is the only solution
- The direction of wind can take the poisonous gas to other parts of the city so it is recommended to wear protective masks whenever you venture out of the house
Which Areas Are Badly Affected
As of now, the following areas are the most badly affected by the lethal gas leak in Karachi. However, due to the peripatetic nature of Karachi’s winds, it is feared that more areas can be included in the list:
If you are a resident of any of the localities mentioned above, it is recommended to shift to a safe place until the cause of the gas leak is identified and the spread of the poisonous gas is controlled.
This concludes our piece on the toxic gas leak in Karachi. We will be regularly updating the piece to keep our readers informed and better equipped to handle any untoward happening. Stay tuned to Zameen Blog for regular updates on the matter. Don’t forget to write to us at blog@zameen.com. Subscribe to Zameen Newsletter appearing on the right-hand side of the page to receive important posts.
