Dhaka's air quality second worst in the world on Saturday

The city’s AQI remains ‘very unhealthy’ despite the weekend lull

Dhaka has ranked as the second most polluted city in the world on Saturday, according to Air Quality Index (AQI) data.

Even on a weekend, the Bangladeshi capital recorded an AQI score of 261 at 11am, placing the air quality in the “very unhealthy” category.

Afghanistan’s capital Kabul topped the global list with an AQI score of 511, the data showed.

Air pollution in Dhaka usually worsens during the winter months, driven by factors including increased construction work, emissions from brick kilns and the movement of unfit vehicles.

Under the AQI scale, air quality between 0 and 50 is considered “good”, 51 to 100 “moderate”, and 101 to 150 “unhealthy for sensitive groups”. Levels between 151 and 200 are termed “unhealthy”, while scores from 201 to 300 are categorised as “very unhealthy”, posing health risks to all.