Dhaka’s air quality has improved after rain due to the influence of cyclonic storm Remal.
The capital ranked 25th on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 70 at 09:45 am this morning.
According to the air quality index, Dhaka’s air was classified as 'moderate' today.
Cyclone Remal crosses Bangladesh Coast
India’s Delhi, Egypt’s Cairo, Iraq’s Baghdad and Democratic Republic of the Congo's Kinshasa occupied the first, second and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 302, 189 and 173, respectively.
When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
Cyclone Remal: Another man dies on the way to shelter
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.