Live Tv
Rtv Plus
Dhaka's Air Quality Remains Hazardous, Nearing Dangerous Levels
Rtv News
22 Dec 2024, 10:53
File Photo
Dhaka's air quality shows no signs of improvement, remaining highly unhealthy with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 287 today. Just 13 points more would classify the city's air as dangerous.
According to AQI data from air monitoring agency IQAir at 9:14 a.m. on Sunday (December 22), the capital’s air quality remains alarming.
The IQAir index defines air quality scores as follows:
0–50: Good
51–100: Moderate
101–150: Unhealthy for sensitive groups
151–200: Unhealthy
201–300: Very unhealthy
Above 300: Hazardous or disastrous
Dhaka's latest AQI score places it perilously close to the hazardous threshold.
Switzerland-based IQAir regularly monitors global air pollution levels. According to their report, Dhaka's primary pollutant is fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which poses serious health risks such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and long-term conditions like cancer.
As of today, Delhi, India, tops the pollution index with a hazardous AQI of 598, while Lahore, Pakistan, ranks second with a very unhealthy AQI of 291. Dhaka follows closely in third place with a score of 287.
Comments
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.
6 Killed, 2 Injured as Train Hits Auto-rickshaw in Cumilla
Six autorickshaw passengers were killed and two others injured after a train hit them at a rail crossing in Burichang Upazila of Cumilla.
The incident took place at the Kalikapur rail crossing at 10 am on Tuesday (November 26).
Burichang Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Azizul Haque confirmed the matter.
He said that the Subarna Express train, which left Chattogram at 10 am, hit the autorickshaw while passing an unprotected rail crossing in the Kalikapur area of Burichang upazila. The autorickshaw was twisted. The train carried the autorickshaw at least half a kilometer away. The bodies of the victims were mutilated in the accident.
The deceased were identified as Rafiz Mia, Lutfa Begum, Safarjan, Shanu Begum, Hossein Ara, a resident of the Ashrayan project in Khodaitoli village, and the autorickshaw driver Saju.
Meanwhile, Laksham Railway Police Station Sub-Inspector Mustafa Kamal arrived at the spot after receiving news of the accident.
He said this railway crossing is unsafe. There is no rail gate here. The accident mainly occurred due to the mistake of the autorickshaw driver. We reached the spot and found the body of one person. The rest of the bodies were taken away by their relatives.
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.
