Dhaka’s Air Remains ‘Unhealthy’ as Winter Tightens Its Grip

As the seasonal cycle moves from autumn into winter, Dhaka continues to struggle with polluted air, a problem that resurfaces almost every year during the dry months. With rainfall absent and the atmosphere increasingly arid, the capital has once again found itself among the world’s most polluted cities.On Thursday, Dhaka’s air quality was categorised as ‘unhealthy’, although pollution levels were marginally lower than on several recent days. At around 8:30 am, the city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 182, placing it eighth on the global list of polluted cities, according to data from international air quality monitoring organisation IQAir.The winter season typically exacerbates Dhaka’s air pollution, as dust particles, vehicle emissions and industrial pollutants remain suspended in the air for longer periods due to the absence of rain and reduced wind flow. This seasonal pattern has made the capital a regular presence on global pollution rankings.On the same ...

• 18 Dec 2025