Talukder Shakil; Dhaka – Even consecutive days of rain have failed to cleanse Dhaka’s air. On Tuesday morning, despite recent downpours, Dhaka ranked as the 4th most polluted city globally out of 122 major cities.
According to IQAir, a Switzerland-based air quality monitoring organization, Dhaka’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 156 around 8:30 AM on Tuesday.
This score is officially classified as “unhealthy.” Alarmingly, eight specific locations across the capital reported even worse air quality conditions.
Rain Fails to Bring Relief
The capital recorded 16 millimeters of rainfall on Monday. While the rain successfully brought down the scorching temperatures, it had no significant impact on lowering the city’s air pollution levels.
Typically, Dhaka’s air quality begins to improve after April, and seasonal rains usually wash away the airborne pollutants quickly. However, despite moving well into May, the air quality remains unusually poor this year.
Dhaka’s Most Polluted Areas Today
Air pollution is particularly severe in eight residential and commercial hubs of the capital. Becharam Dewri topped the list with an AQI of 208, entering the “very unhealthy” zone (scores above 200).
The list of the most polluted areas in Dhaka on Tuesday morning includes:
| Location | AQI Score | Air Quality Status |
| Becharam Dewri | 208 | Very Unhealthy |
| Abdullahbag, North Badda | 191 | Unhealthy |
| Gulshan Lake Park | 164 | Unhealthy |
| Agargaon | 161 | Unhealthy |
| Baridhara Park Road | 161 | Unhealthy |
| Baridhara Lake Side | 157 | Unhealthy |
| Bay’s Edge Water, Gulshan | 155 | Unhealthy |
| South Pallabi | 153 | Unhealthy |
Health Advisory for Residents
Given the persistent “unhealthy” air quality, IQAir has issued an urgent health advisory for Dhaka residents to protect themselves from respiratory health risks:
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Wear Masks: Always wear a high-quality protective mask when stepping outdoors.
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Avoid Outdoor Workouts: Refrain from exercising or doing heavy physical activities outside.
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Keep Windows Closed: Keep doors and windows closed at home as much as possible to prevent polluted outside air from entering.