Dhaka has once again secured a top spot among the world’s most polluted cities. On Tuesday (September 30) morning, the capital recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 158, categorized as “very unhealthy.”
Topping the list was Lahore, Pakistan, with a score of 205. Karachi, Pakistan, ranked third with a score of 248, while India’s capital New Delhi stood fourth with 153. Kampala, Uganda, ranked fifth with 147.
The AQI measures daily air quality, indicating how clean or polluted the air is in a specific city and what level of health risk it may pose to residents.
According to AQI standards, a score between 101–150 is considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” 151–200 is “unhealthy,” 201–300 is “very unhealthy,” and any score above 301 is deemed “hazardous,” posing severe health risks.
Experts warn that such high levels of pollution pose a grave threat to Dhaka’s residents, especially children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions.