Dhaka's air quality was rated as 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' this morning, with an AQI score of 118, ranking it 11th on the list of cities with the worst air quality worldwide. India’s Delhi, Nepal’s Kathmandu, and Thailand’s Chiang Mai topped the list.

When the AQI value falls between 101 and 150, the air quality is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, while scores above 150 are categorized as 'unhealthy', 'very unhealthy' between 201 and 300, and 'hazardous' beyond 301, posing serious health risks.

The AQI serves as a gauge for daily air quality, providing insights into potential health impacts associated with pollution. In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.

Dhaka has long faced air pollution challenges, particularly during winter, but sees improvements during the monsoon season. According to the WHO, air pollution is a significant global health concern, resulting in millions of deaths annually due to various respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.