The capitals of India and Bangladesh are blanketed by a thick layer of toxic smog, as air quality plummets in both New Delhi and Dhaka.
Dhaka briefly emerged as the world’s most polluted city on Wednesday, with a “hazardous” index level of 325, according to Swiss climate monitor IQAir.
But by midday, things had somewhat improved, with the index falling to 177, which is still within the “unhealthy” category. With over 20 million inhabitants, Dhaka is one of the most populous cities in the world. As a result of excessive usage of fossil fuels, the city’s air quality has been worse recently, endangering public health. Driver Rafiq Mondal remarked, “We often suffer from fever, allergies, and asthma while operating rickshaws on the streets.” It hurts a lot, a lot.
While authorities in Dhaka spray the streets with water to help the dust settle, residents want additional steps taken.
