Dhaka’s air quality now ‘moderate’

Dhaka has seen a remarkable improvement in its air quality due to showers prompted by cyclonic storm ‘Asani’.

With the air quality index (AQI) score of 80 at 10.05am on Wednesday, Dhaka’s AQI was categorised as ‘moderate’.

The city ranked 17th in the list of world cities with the worst air quality. 

Pakistan’s Lahore, Chile’s Santiago and India’s Delhi occupied the first three spots in the list, with AQI scores of 179, 157 and 153, respectively.

An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered ‘unhealthy’, particularly for sensitive groups.

Similarly, an AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be ‘poor’, while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered ‘hazardous’, posing serious health risks to residents.

In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants—Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.

Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.