Air pollution is worsening across many cities worldwide due to climate change, and Dhaka, the megacity of Bangladesh, has long struggled with deteriorating air quality. In recent months, Dhaka has frequently ranked among the most polluted cities globally. However, ongoing rainfall has brought some temporary relief, slightly improving the city’s air quality.

According to the global air quality monitoring platform IQAir, as of 7:30 AM on Tuesday, July 15, Dhaka recorded an AQI (Air Quality Index) score of 80, placing it 19th on the list of the world's most polluted cities at that time. This score falls under the “moderate” pollution category.

At the same time, Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, topped the list with an AQI score of 195. Santiago in Chile came second with 168, followed by Hanoi (Vietnam) and Jakarta (Indonesia) both at 165, while Manama (Bahrain) held the fifth position with a score of 156.

According to AQI standards, a score between 0 and 50 is considered “good,” 51 to 100 is “moderate,” and 101 to 150 is “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” A reading between 151 and 200 is classified as “unhealthy,” while 201 to 300 is “very unhealthy.” AQI scores above 300 are deemed “hazardous,” prompting health advisories and activity restrictions, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory illnesses.