Dhaka, the overcrowded capital of Bangladesh, has ranked sixth on the list of cities with the worst air quality, recording an AQI of 216 at 9:21 am on Thursday (January 2). 

The city's air quality was classified as "very unhealthy" according to global air quality rankings.

Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina, topped the list with an AQI of 289, followed by Hanoi, Vietnam (AQI 266), and Karachi, Pakistan (AQI 258). 

The AQI scale categorizes levels between 151-200 as "unhealthy", 201-300 as "very unhealthy", and 301-400 as "hazardous," indicating serious health risks.

Dhaka continues to battle severe air pollution, especially during winter months, with the AQI based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. 

The city sees improvements in air quality during the monsoon season.

BDST: 1134 HRS, JAN 02, 2025
MN