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Dhaka's Air Quality Marks 'Very Unhealthy' Today
Rtv News
19 Nov 2024, 13:30
Photo: UNB
Dhaka's air quality was identified as 'very unhealthy' this morning (November 19, 2024).
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 246 at 08:20 am, Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh ranked 2nd on the list of cities around the world with the worst air quality.
India's Delhi, Pakistan's Lahore, and India's Kolkata occupied the first three spots, with AQI scores of 491, 232, and 226, respectively.
When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered 'unhealthy for sensitive groups', between 151 and 200 is 'unhealthy', between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', and a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
Dhaka's 'unhealthy' air quality persists
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants — particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka has long grappled with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in the winter and improves during the monsoon.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
Dhaka's air is harmful to any person. Today, the three areas in and around Dhaka where the pollution situation is relatively worse are ICDDRB, Becharam Deuri, and Hemayetpur in Savar.
The main component of Dhaka's air pollution is the presence of very fine particulate matter or PM 2.5 in the air. Today, its presence in Dhaka's air is 31 percent higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) standard.
Source: UNB
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Touhidul Fired 28 Bullets at Protesters During Student Movement
The police have arrested a Jubo League activist – Touhidul Islam alias Farid, 32 – due to his involvement in firing at students and people during the anti-discrimination movement in Chattogram.
Touhidul alone fired a total of 28 bullets at protesters during their attack.
CMP's Chandgaon Police Station arrested Farid from Satkhira Sadar's Kamalnagar area on Friday (November 22) afternoon. There are 12 cases against him, including five for murder.
The arrested Touhid is known to be an associate of former Chandgaon ward councilor Esrarul Haque.
Deputy Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Md. Rois Uddin said at a press conference at the CMP Commissioner's office on Saturday afternoon, "Farid was arrested from Kamalnagar area of Satkhira based on secret information."
He said, "During initial interrogation, he confessed to indiscriminate shooting during the student movement with a firearm. He fired 28 rounds during the movement against discrimination."
"The weapon he used is a Pakistani shooter gun and he has multiple weapons. Our operation is underway to recover the weapons and bullets he used. He is a professional terrorist and robber. There are 12 cases against him, including five for murder," he further added.
It is worth noting that 10 people were killed in shootings in Chattogram during the anti-discrimination student movement from July 17 to August 4. More than a hundred were injured. The family and relatives of the deceased in this incident have filed at least 25 cases in different police stations and courts in the city.
Dhaka Ranks Second Among World’s Most Polluted Cities, Air ‘Very Unhealthy’
Air pollution in Dhaka continues to worsen. Especially during winter, pollution levels spike, often placing Dhaka among the top ranks of polluted cities. Today, Dhaka ranks second on the list of the world’s most polluted cities.
As of 8:41 AM on Sunday (November 24), the Air Quality Index (AQI) score for Dhaka was 291. According to air quality standards, this level is classified as ‘very unhealthy.’
Meanwhile, Lahore, Pakistan, ranked first with an AQI score of 399. India’s capital, Delhi, ranked third with a score of 266, while Kolkata, West Bengal, took the fourth spot with a score of 194.
AQI Standards
0–50: Good
51–100: Moderate
101–150: Unhealthy for sensitive groups
151–200: Unhealthy
201–300: Very unhealthy
301–400: Hazardous
Health Risks of Air Pollution
Air pollution poses severe health risks, affecting people of all ages. However, it is particularly harmful to children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Experts attribute air pollution in Dhaka to brick kilns, vehicle emissions, and dust from construction sites. The effects of air pollution include increased risks of respiratory issues, coughing, lower respiratory infections, and even depression.
About the Data
This ranking is based on data from IQAir, a Switzerland-based air quality monitoring technology company. The daily AQI score provides information on how clean or polluted the air in a city is and assesses potential health risks associated with it.
Death of 3 IUT Students: Seven Palli Bidyut Officials Suspended
Following the tragic death of three students of the Islamic University of Technology (IUT) due to electrocution on a picnic bus in Gazipur, seven officials and employees of Mymensingh Palli Bidyut Samity-2 have been temporarily suspended.
The matter was confirmed on Saturday night (November 23) by Md. Akmal Hossain, the General Manager (GM) of Mymensingh Palli Bidyut Samity-2.
He stated that the incident occurred on Saturday morning, when three IUT students were electrocuted on a picnic bus in Gazipur. Following the incident, senior officials of the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board visited the site.
That night, the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board suspended seven officials and employees in connection with the incident. The suspended personnel include Kamal Chandra Barman, Deputy General Manager (DGM, Sadar-Technical) of Mymensingh Palli Bidyut Samity-2; Khondker Mahmudul Hasan, DGM of Maona Zonal Office; Md. Tanvir Salauddin, Assistant General Manager (AGM); Junior Engineer Matiur Rahman; and linemen Parvez Mia, Shakhawat Hossain, and Abul Kashem.
Earlier on Saturday morning, three IUT students lost their lives after being electrocuted while on a picnic bus in the Udaykhali area of Telihati Union, Sreepur, Gazipur.
Meanwhile, two separate investigation committees have been formed to probe the incident—one comprising three members from the Gazipur District Administration and another five-member committee from the university.
3 Killed in Clash, Claim Mollah College Authorities
Dr Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College authorities have claimed that three of their students were killed in a clash with students from Kabi Nazrul Government College and Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College.
It has also been claimed that more than a hundred students and several teachers were injured in the attack.
A press release, signed by the college's Managing Director Ashraf Samir, was sent to the media around 2:30 pm on Monday (November 25), stating that three students had been killed.
However, no statement has been issued by the police regarding the incident.
The college authorities have repeatedly appealed to the local and highest levels of administration for cooperation, but no effective action has been taken so far. In this situation, the safety and learning environment of students has been disrupted.
In a press release, Mollah College authorities expressed deep sorrow and anger, stating that a brutal attack occurred at their institution today. A group of outsiders, operating under the banner of the so-called Seven College Students, entered the campus and caused widespread destruction.
During the attack, three students were brutally killed, and over a hundred students and teachers were injured. Many of the injured are in critical condition, with some receiving intensive care.
The release further mentioned that some students from Shaheed Suhrawardy College and National Medical College, supported by the banned organization Chhatra League, were involved in a conspiracy to destabilize the institution.
The majority of the attackers were not students, but individuals engaged in terrorist activities.
The attackers looted important documents, assets, and personal belongings of the students. They also caused significant damage to the college building, smashing various rooms, including the principal's office.
The press release also outlined three demands from the college authorities to the concerned administration, law enforcement, and the Ministry of Education.
We, on behalf of Dr Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College, call on the concerned administration, law enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Education to:
1. Quickly identify and arrest the real culprits of the attack and give exemplary punishment.
2. Immediately strengthen security measures in the college to ensure the safety of students.
3. Take effective steps to recover looted assets and restore damaged documents.
No Deaths in Demra Clash, DMP Clarifies
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has said that no one was killed in the chase and clash between students of Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul College, and Dr Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College.
In a statement issued by DMP Deputy Police Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman, he stated that many had been spreading misinformation on social media saying two students had died, but this was not true.
The DMP has requested everyone to refrain from spreading false information that people were killed.
Earlier, DMRC Managing Director Ashraf Samir in a press release claimed that three of their students had died in the clashes.
In addition, Dr Mahbubur Rahman Mollah, founder of Dr Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College, told the media that no one was killed in the chase and clash between students. A group wanted to spread the news of the killings to destabilize the country's atmosphere.
Meanwhile, in Matuail, Jatrabari, at least 35 were injured in clashes between students of Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College, Kabi Nazrul College, and Suhrawardy College. They were brought to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital in their injured condition on Monday afternoon.
Panchagarh Records 12°C This Morning
The temperature in Panchagarh, the country's northernmost district, has dropped to 12 degrees. Tetulia Meteorological Observatory office recorded the district's temperature at 12°C at 6 am.
This information was provided by Russell Shah, Officer-in-Charge of the Tetulia Meteorological Observatory of Panchagarh on Thursday (November 28) morning.
He said that although the minimum temperature of the season was recorded within 13°C for the last three days, the temperature dropped further to 12.2°C at 6 am today. Now the temperature will continue to drop further as the day goes on.
Meanwhile, since morning, it can be seen that the cold is felt in various places even though the sun's rays are breaking through the fog. However, stone workers, daily wage laborers, tea workers, and other working people were seen going to their respective jobs, ignoring the cold.
Some local farmers said that winter has set in. When I go to pick leaves and cauliflower, coriander leaves, gourds, and gourds in the morning, I feel the icy coldness of the dew on the leaves. It makes my hands numb.
Lawyer Alif Murder in Chattogram: Case Filed Against 31
On Tuesday, November 26, lawyer Saiful Islam Alif was killed during a clash in Chattogram surrounding demands for the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson for the Sanatani Jagaran Jote. A case has been filed naming 31 individuals and including 10-15 unidentified persons as accused.
On Saturday, November 30, Jamal Uddin, the father of the deceased, filed the case at the Kotwali Police Station in Chattogram.
The named accused include residents of the Kotwali Bundel Road Sevak Colony area: Chandan, Aman Das, Shri Shubho Kanti Das, Bunja, Ranob, Bidhan, Bikash, Romit, Rumit Das, Nayan Das, Gagan Das, Bishal Das, Omkar Das, Bishal, Rajkapur, Lala, Samir, Sohel Das, Shiv Kumar, Biglal, Parash, Shri Ganesh, Om Das, Poppy, Ajay, Devi Charan, Dev, Joy, Durlabh Das, and Rajib Bhattacharya.
Additionally, another case was filed by Alif’s elder brother, Khan Alam, against 115 named individuals and 400-500 unidentified people for attacking lawyers and vandalizing the court premises during the incident.
The cases were confirmed by Kazi Md. Tarek Aziz, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police.
Earlier, on November 25, police arrested Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a spokesperson for the Sanatani Jagaran Jote and ISKCON leader, at Dhaka’s Shahjalal International Airport. He was later presented in a Chattogram court on November 26, where his bail was denied, and he was ordered to be sent to jail.
As he was being transported to prison, followers of Chinmoy Krishna Das blocked the prison van. A clash ensued between law enforcement, lawyers, and the followers of Chinmoy Krishna Das. During the incident, young lawyer Saiful Islam Alif lost his life.
