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Despite continuous rainfall, Dhaka’s air quality has shown little improvement, with the Bangladeshi capital ranking as the third most polluted city in the world on Wednesday morning.
According to IQAir data at 8:00 a.m. on July 15, Dhaka recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 159, placing it in the “unhealthy” category.
Environmental experts say that while rainfall typically washes dust particles and airborne pollutants out of the atmosphere, Dhaka’s air pollution remains stubbornly high due to persistent emission sources. Unplanned urbanization, uncontrolled construction activities, vehicle exhaust, and emissions from industrial facilities surrounding the city continue to degrade air quality. Although rain may temporarily reduce dust levels, these ongoing pollution sources prevent any significant improvement in overall air quality.
On the global pollution ranking, Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo topped the list with an AQI of 239, followed by Jakarta, Indonesia, with 160. Doha, Qatar, ranked fourth with an AQI of 156, while Manama, Bahrain, occupied the fifth spot.
Dhaka has long remained one of the world’s most pollution-prone cities. Fine particulate matter and toxic gases in the air pose serious long-term health risks, including respiratory illnesses and other chronic diseases. Environmental specialists warn that without stronger enforcement against pollution sources and the adoption of sustainable urban management practices, improving the city’s air quality will remain a major challenge.
