On Wednesday, Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, experienced a thick layer of toxic smog, pushing the air quality index into the “hazardous” category. Similar conditions were observed in New Delhi, India’s capital.
Dhaka, one of the world’s most populous cities with over 20 million people, has seen deteriorating air quality due to extensive projects and excessive use of fossil fuels, resulting in health issues for many residents.
Drones equipped with cameras captured smog at 9 a.m., placing Dhaka at the top of the world’s most polluted cities with a hazardous index level of 325, as reported by Swiss group IQAir. However, conditions slightly improved with the index dropping to 177, classified as “unhealthy,” by 1:35 p.m.
City authorities in Dhaka employ water spraying on streets to settle the dust, but residents are urging more significant efforts. With ongoing mega projects like the metro rail contributing to widespread construction material, residents like Wasim Akhter emphasize the need for more serious measures.
The World Bank has urged Bangladesh to collaborate closely with South Asian neighbors to address air pollution, which is responsible for about a fifth of the country’s premature deaths annually, according to a report.
In some areas of Dhaka, fine particulate matter levels exceeded World Health Organization standards by up to 20 times, highlighting the severity of the issue. Meanwhile, New Delhi faced high pollution levels, with an index reading of 378, categorized as “very poor” by the Central Pollution Control Board. The enveloping fog in New Delhi led to over 100 flight delays and disruptions in rail services amid temperatures around 52 degrees Fahrenheit.
