Air pollution is steadily rising in cities worldwide due to climate change, and megacity Dhaka has long suffered from poor air quality. For several days, it has consistently ranked among the most polluted cities globally. However, recent data suggests a slight improvement in Dhaka’s air quality.

According to the international air quality monitoring organization IQAir, Dhaka ranked 13th on the global list of polluted cities on Sunday (June 29) at 7:30 a.m., with an AQI score of 90. This level is considered “moderate” in terms of pollution.

At the same time, Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, topped the list with a score of 192. It was followed by Lahore in Pakistan with 181, Beijing in China with 139, Jakarta in Indonesia with 137, and Kampala in Uganda with a score of 133.

Air Quality Index (AQI) scores from 0 to 50 are considered good, 51 to 100 are moderate, while 101 to 150 are deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups. Scores between 151 and 200 are labeled as “unhealthy,” and 201 to 300 are regarded as “very unhealthy.” In such cases, children, the elderly, and those with health issues are advised to stay indoors. An AQI score between 301 and 400 is considered “hazardous,” posing a serious risk to public health.