Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, has been ranked as the second most polluted city in the world, according to the latest Air Quality Index (AQI).

At 8:16 am on Thursday (Jan 16), the city recorded an AQI of 240, placing it in the "very unhealthy" category. This level of pollution poses a severe health threat to residents.

Cities in India and Pakistan, including Kolkata (243 AQI), Mumbai (223 AQI), and Karachi (215 AQI), also feature on the list of highly polluted cities. 

AQI readings categorize air quality, with scores between 201 and 300 signifying "very unhealthy" conditions.

Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution, particularly in winter, with air quality improving during the monsoon. 

The AQI measures pollutants such as particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.

The World Health Organization (WHO) attributes seven million deaths annually to air pollution, underscoring the urgent need for better air quality management.

BDST: 1207 HRS, JAN 16, 2025
MN