United News of Bangladesh

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.

Dhaka ranked first among the world’s most polluted cities on Thursday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 181 at 08:58 am. The air quality was classified as ‘unhealthy’, indicating the air contains dangerous levels of pollutants, according to the AQI scale. Lahore in Pakistan, Kolkata in India and Jakarta in Indonesia occupied the top three spots, with AQI scores of 156, 135 and 127 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.

Dhaka ranked fourth among the world’s most polluted cities on Wednesday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 148 at 08:52 am. The air quality was classified as ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, indicating increased health risks for vulnerable populations, particularly children, the elderly, pregnant individuals, and those with heart or lung conditions, according to the AQI scale. Lahore in Pakistan, Delhi in India and Karachi in Pakistan occupied the top three spots, with AQI scores of 193, 159 and 154 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.

Dhaka ranked top among the world’s most polluted cities on Tuesday morning, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 169 recorded at 10:00am. The air quality was categorised as “unhealthy”, indicating a significant risk to public health, according to AQI standards. Kuwait’s Kuwait City ranked 2nd in the list with an AQI of 157 while India’s Delhi (155) is in the third position. An AQI reading between 151 and 200 is considered “unhealthy”, while 101-150 is classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups”. Levels of 201-300 are deemed “very unhealthy”, and readings above 301 are labelled “hazardous”, posing severe health risks. The AQI, which tracks daily air quality, indicates how polluted the air is and the potential health impact on residents. In Bangladesh, AQI measurements are based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and ozone. Dhaka has long battled air pollution, with conditions typically worsening in winter and improving during the monsoon season. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is responsible for an estimated seven million deaths worldwide each year, mainly from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

Bangladesh is likely to experience 1-3 heatwaves including one severe heatwave (40°C–41.9°C) and thunderstorms  in the current month. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has issued its monthly weather outlook for May, forecasting a mix of heatwaves, thunderstorms, and generally normal rainfall across the country. The outlook was finalised during a meeting of the Expert Team on Long-Range Weather Forecasting held on Sunday at the Storm Warning Centre in Dhaka. The team reviewed April’s weather data alongside global and regional climate indicators before preparing the forecast. Besides, rainfall is expected to remain normal nationwide. However, the country may witness 5 to 8 days of light to moderate thunderstorms  including 2 to 3 days of severe thunderstorms accompanied by hail in some areas. Meteorologists also predict the formation of 1 to 2 low-pressure systems over the Bay of Bengal, with at least one having the potential to intensify into a depression or cyclone. Both daytime and nighttime temperatures are expected to stay within normal ranges throughout May. Major rivers across the country are also likely to maintain normal flow levels. However, temporary rises in water levels may occur in the northern, northeastern, and southeastern regions due to isolated heavy rainfall. For the agricultural sector, BMD forecasts average daily evaporation rates of 3.5 to 5.5 mm and daily sunshine duration of 5.5 to 7.5 hours, conditions considered generally favorable for crop growth during this period. The BMD said the forecast is based on detailed analysis of weather observations, upper-level weather patterns, various atmospheric charts, climate models, the SOI (El Niño and La Niña conditions), and May weather forecasts from WMO-recognized institutes and Global Producing Centers (GPCs) including ECMWF, JMA, NOAA, IRI-Columbia University, the APEC Climate Centre (APCC), RIMES, and C3S.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has predicted rains in parts of Bangladesh in24 hours from 9 am on Monday. The met office said a few places in Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions are likely to experience light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally winds and lightning flashes. Moderately heavy to heavy rainfall may also occur in some areas of these divisions. One or two places over Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions may experience rains with moderately heavy to heavy rainfall expected in some areas across the country. Day temperature may rise slightly and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.

Dhaka ranked fourth among the world’s most polluted cities on Monday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 137 at 08:55 am. The air quality was classified as ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, indicating increased health risks for vulnerable populations, particularly children, the elderly, pregnant individuals, and those with heart or lung conditions, according to the AQI scale. Baghdad in Iraq, Chiang Mai in Thailand and Manama in Bahrain occupied the top three spots, with AQI scores of 212, 147 and 142 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.

Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked 4th among the world’s most polluted cities on Sunday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 138 at 11:37 am. The air quality was classified as ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, indicating potential health risks for the general population, according to the AQI scale. Hanoi in Vietnam, kolkata in India and Delhi in India occupied the top three positions on the list, with AQI scores of 155, 142 and 142 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 reports daily air quality, informs residents how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health effects. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five key 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. Air quality usually deteriorates in winter and improves during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes about seven million deaths worldwide each year, primarily from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally winds and lightning flashes are likely in different parts of the country in 24 hours commencing 9am on Saturday, according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) . The Met Office said many places in Mymensingh, Dhaka, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions are expected to experience rainfall and a few places in Rangpur, Rajshahi and Khulna divisions may also see similar weather condition, it said. Moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at places over Mymensingh, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, the forecast added. Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged across the country.