Dhaka Tops World’s Most Polluted Cities Despite Heavy Rainfall

Labonnya Liza; Dhaka– Despite significant rainfall in the capital, Dhaka has once again topped the list of the world’s most polluted cities.

On Wednesday evening, the city recorded 26 mm of rain over three hours, which typically improves air quality.

However, by Thursday morning, Dhaka’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 177, a level classified as “unhealthy”.

Unregulated Construction and Dust

According to Professor Ahmed Kamruzzaman Majumder, Chairman of the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), the primary reason for the persistent pollution is unregulated construction.

Images from Bailey Road show construction materials like sand and bricks left in the open. These materials stick to vehicle tires and spread across major roads, quickly generating dust even after rain.

Professor Majumder noted that there are at least 300 such sites across the capital lacking proper maintenance. “Rain may temporarily reduce pollution, but dust spreads quickly from these open sites, combined with emissions from faulty vehicles,” he explained.

Policy and Implementation Gaps

While air quality monitoring by organizations like IQAir consistently warns of dangerous levels, local efforts to curb pollution have seen little success. Despite numerous projects and daily rainfall throughout May, air quality remains poor.

Experts emphasize that the City Corporation already has the legal authority to enforce pollution control measures at construction sites without needing new projects.

However, a lack of enforcement remains a critical issue. On Thursday, Jakarta, Indonesia, ranked second on the list with an AQI of 159.

Air Quality Comparison (May 07, 2026)

Rank	City	AQI Score	Category
1	Dhaka, Bangladesh	177	Unhealthy
2	Jakarta, Indonesia	159	Unhealthy