Dhaka air quality index hits 163, ranking sixth among world's polluted cities
Air pollution in Dhaka is not easing. On Monday, October 26, the capital's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 163, which is categorised as unhealthy.
The figure was recorded on the Switzerland-based air quality website IQAir at 10:15 am on Monday. At the same time, Dhaka ranked sixth on the list of the world's cities with polluted air.
Lahore in Pakistan topped the list of the world's polluted cities that day, with an AQI score of 208. India's capital Delhi was second, with a score of 205.
Karachi in Pakistan was third with a score of 170. Kolkata in India was fourth, also with a score of 170.
The report said Dhaka's air quality remains at a worrying level as urbanisation and vehicle pressure increase.
Under the AQI scale, a score of 0 to 50 is considered good, 51 to 100 moderate, and 101 to 150 unhealthy for sensitive groups.
On the same scale, 151 to 200 is considered unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and above 301 hazardous. Dhaka's score of 163 therefore falls within the unhealthy range.
