United News of Bangladesh

Dhaka ranked first among the world’s most polluted cities on Thursday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 166 at 08:32 am. The air quality was classified as ‘unhealthy’, indicating the air contains dangerous levels of pollutants, according to the AQI scale. Chengdu in China, Beijing in China and Cairo in Egypt occupied the second, third, and fourth spot, with AQI scores of 158, 158 and 157 respectively. According to AQI standards, a reading between 101 and 150 is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, 151 to 200 ‘unhealthy’, 201 to 300 ‘very unhealthy’, while levels above 301 are deemed ‘hazardous’, posing serious health risks. The AQI, which provides daily updates on air quality, indicates how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health impacts. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution, with air quality typically worsening in winter and improving during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution causes around seven million deaths globally each year, mainly due to stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

Speakers at a dialogue on Wednesday highlighted the urgent need to transition towards evidence-based policymaking that integrates scientific data, spatial analysis, and community-generated evidence. They said Bangladesh must urgently shift from reactive responses to evidence-based, data-driven climate action to address its escalating climate emergency. The dialogue titled “Bangladesh in Climate Emergency: Evidence-Based Pathways for Climate Action” was held in Dhaka. The event was organised by Oxfam in Bangladesh and its partners, with support from the Australian government, which brought together senior policymakers, development partners, experts, and practitioners to explore innovative pathways for climate action, ecosystem restoration, and climate finance. Joining the discussion, renowned climate expert Prof Ainun Nishat emphasised strengthening climate governance through innovation and data. “Bangladesh stands at a critical moment where climate challenges must be addressed with precision, transparency, and forward‑looking strategies,” he said. The expert said evidence‑based approaches are essential for strengthening their policies, guiding investments, and amplifying their leadership in global climate negotiations. Global and national data underscored the urgency of the crisis. Climate-related disasters have increased by 83% globally, rising from 3,656 events between 1980 and 1999 to 6,681 events between 2000 and 2019. More than 9,700 extreme weather disasters were recorded between 1995 and 2024, causing over 830,000 deaths and more than USD 4.5 trillion in economic losses worldwide. In Bangladesh alone, over 300 disasters have affected approximately 190 million people between 1995 and 2024, with annual economic losses estimated at USD 3 billion. With this data and information, Dr Mohammad Emran Hasan, Head of Climate Justice and Natural Resource Rights, Oxfam in Bangladesh, presented a paper on "Bangladesh in Climate Emergency: Evidence-Based Pathways for Climate Action” that also shares that Bangladesh is experiencing a deepening climate crisis marked by frequent floods, cyclones, salinity intrusion, and ecosystem degradation. The dialogue also highlighted growing global concerns around tipping points and accelerating damages. Scientists now warn that tipping points in the climate system may occur sooner than previously expected, while climate-related damages have been rising by 5–7% annually. Dr M. Shahidul Islam, Professor of Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka, highlighted the growing gap between knowledge and action: “Bangladesh has the experience, knowledge, and capacity. "The challenge is translating that knowledge into timely and effective action. Evidence must drive decision-making if we are to address the complexity of climate risks.” Moderated by Md Sariful Islam, Head of Influencing, Communications, Advocacy and Media of Oxfam in Bangladesh, the event featured a presentation of a comprehensive position paper outlining the scale of the climate crisis and proposing actionable solutions. It presented two of Oxfam’s innovative tools, i.e., the Loss and Damage Dashboard and the Interactive Spatial Decision Support System (iSDSS), to help facilitate the climate actions and climate finance through evidence backed by 3 Senses (i.e., social sensing by community reporting; remote sensing by utilising earth observation to verify and validate reported cases; and finally, common sensing by utilising the data and evidence). Nayoka Martinez‑Bäckström, first secretary and deputy head of development cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden in Bangladesh, underscored the global dimension of climate justice and finance. “Countries like Bangladesh are paying the highest price for a crisis they did not create." Evidence from the ground is crucial to ensure that climate finance reaches the most vulnerable communities in a fair and accountable way,” she said. Ashish Damle, country director of Oxfam in Bangladesh, highlighted the importance of linking people, policy, and evidence. “Climate action must remain rooted in the realities of those most affected. Through innovations like the Loss and Damage Dashboard and spatial decision systems, we are bringing community voices into policy spaces and strengthening accountability in climate finance.” The discussion also highlighted Bangladesh’s increasing vulnerability, including rising temperatures of 0.5–1.0°C over the past decades; sea-level rise affecting over 100 coastal upazilas; and projections that 13.3 million people could become internal climate migrants by 2050. Organised under the Blue Economy and Inclusive Development for Climate Justice (BID4CJ), supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of the Australian Government and implemented by Oxfam in partnership with BTS, CODEC, and BELA, it focuses on advancing inclusive climate justice through evidence‑based approaches, ecosystem restoration, and community stewardship.

Dhaka ranked 36th among the world’s most polluted cities on Wednesday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 67 at 08:50 am. The air quality was classified as ‘moderate’, indicating a moderate health concern for a very small number of individuals who are unusually sensitive to air pollution, according to the AQI scale. Lahore in Pakistan, Delhi in India and Jakarta in Indonesia occupied the top three spots, with AQI scores of 188, 173 and 157 respectively. According to AQI standards, a reading between 101 and 150 is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, 151 to 200 ‘unhealthy’, 201 to 300 ‘very unhealthy’, while levels above 301 are deemed ‘hazardous’, posing serious health risks. The AQI, which provides daily updates on air quality, indicates how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health impacts. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution, with air quality typically worsening in winter and improving during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution causes around seven million deaths globally each year, mainly due to stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally winds and lightning in several parts of the country in 24 hours commencing 9 am on Tuesday. According to the Met Office bulletin, a few places in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions are likely to experience rain or thunderstorms, while one or two places in Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions may also witness showers. Moderately heavy to heavy rainfall is expected at some places in Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions, the bulletin added. The Met Office said daytime temperatures may rise slightly across the country, while night temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged.

The densely populated capital of Bangladesh has once again topped the list of cities with the worst air quality in the world. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Dhaka was recorded at 193 at 9: 01 am on Tuesday India’s Delhi, China’s Wuhan and Beijing  ranked second, third and fourth respectively, with AQI scores of  165, 158 and 158, according to IQAir, a real-time air quality information platform. An AQI reading between 101 and 200 is considered ‘unhealthy’, particularly for sensitive groups. A reading between 201 and 300 is considered ‘very unhealthy’, while 301 to 400 is classified as ‘hazardous’, posing serious health risks. The AQI is used by government agencies to report daily air quality and inform the public about pollution levels and possible health impacts. In Bangladesh, the index is calculated based on five major pollutants — particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with severe air pollution, with conditions typically worsening in winter and improving during the monsoon season. Air pollution remains one of the leading global health risks. Exposure to polluted air increases the risk of heart disease, chronic respiratory illness, lung infections and cancer, according to multiple studies. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes around seven million premature deaths worldwide each year, mainly due to stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has predicted rains coupled with lightning in 24 hours commencing 8 am on Monday “Rain/thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty/squally wind and lightning flashes is likely to occur at one or two places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh & Sylhet divisions,” said a Met office bulletin . Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country. Dhaka’s air ranks 2nd worst globally Day and night temperature may rise slightly over the country. The trough of westerly low lies over west Bengal and adjoining area. A low pressure area is likely to form over Southwest Bay and adjoining area during next 48 hrs, said BMD on Sunday.

The densely populated capital of Bangladesh has once again topped the list of cities with the worst air quality in the world. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Dhaka was recorded at 174 at 10:20 am on Monday India’s Delhi, Uzbekistan's Tashkent and Vietnam's Hanoi ranked second, third and fourth respectively, with AQI scores of 153, 147 and 145. An AQI reading between 101 and 200 is considered ‘unhealthy’, particularly for sensitive groups. A reading between 201 and 300 is considered ‘very unhealthy’, while 301 to 400 is classified as ‘hazardous’, posing serious health risks. The AQI is used by government agencies to report daily air quality and inform the public about pollution levels and possible health impacts. In Bangladesh, the index is calculated based on five major pollutants — particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with severe air pollution, with conditions typically worsening in winter and improving during the monsoon season. Air pollution remains one of the leading global health risks. Exposure to polluted air increases the risk of heart disease, chronic respiratory illness, lung infections and cancer, according to multiple studies. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes around seven million premature deaths worldwide each year, mainly due to stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

Dhaka’s air quality ranked the second worst in the world on Sunday morning, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 163 recorded at 9:45am, according to IQAir. An AQI score of 160 falls under the “unhealthy” category, indicating that air pollution poses health risks to residents, particularly for sensitive groups such as children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions. Pakistan’s Lahore ranked top in the list with an AQI of 195 while India’s Delhi (156) is in the third position. Cities with high AQI levels typically experience increased concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause various health problems. Air quality in Dhaka often deteriorates during the dry season due to factors such as construction dust, vehicle emissions, industrial pollution and reduced rainfall. Health experts advise residents to limit outdoor activities, wear masks when outside and keep windows closed to reduce exposure during periods of poor air quality. The AQI is a daily indicator used to report air quality levels and their potential impact on human health.

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked fifth on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI index of 151 at 09:20 am on Saturday. Dhaka’s air was classified as 'unhealthy', according to the air quality and pollution city ranking. Indonesia’s Jakarta, Pakistan’s Lahore, India's Delhi and Kyrgyzstan’s Bishkek occupied the first four spots in the list, with AQI scores of 188, 179, 163 and 153, respectively. An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy' while 201-300 is 'very unhealthy' and 301-400 is considered 'hazardous', posing severe health risks to residents. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five 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.  

The densely populated capital of Bangladesh has once again topped the list of cities with the worst air quality in the world. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Dhaka was recorded at 183 at 9:30 am on Friday. India’s Delhi, Pakistan’s Lahore and Indonesia’s Jakarta ranked second, third and fourth respectively, with AQI scores of 153, 153 and 148. An AQI reading between 101 and 200 is considered ‘unhealthy’, particularly for sensitive groups. A reading between 201 and 300 is considered ‘very unhealthy’, while 301 to 400 is classified as ‘hazardous’, posing serious health risks. The AQI is used by government agencies to report daily air quality and inform the public about pollution levels and possible health impacts. In Bangladesh, the index is calculated based on five major pollutants — particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with severe air pollution, with conditions typically worsening in winter and improving during the monsoon season. Air pollution remains one of the leading global health risks. Exposure to polluted air increases the risk of heart disease, chronic respiratory illness, lung infections and cancer, according to multiple studies. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes around seven million premature deaths worldwide each year, mainly due to stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.