Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, has ranked as the second most polluted city in the world today, according to the Air Quality Index (AQI). With an AQI score of 297, the city's air quality has been categorized as "very unhealthy." This information was reported by IQAir, a global air quality monitoring agency, at 9:30 AM on Friday.

During this period, eight areas in Dhaka recorded air quality levels classified as "hazardous." Among them, Gulshan Lake Park area emerged as the most polluted with an AQI score of 397. Other areas with similarly hazardous air quality included Mirpur Eastern Housing (394), West Nakhalpara Road (390), Shanta Tower area (355), Hemayetpur in Savar (320), the U.S. Embassy area in Dhaka (320), Aga Khan Academy (314), and Becharam Dewri (314).

Globally, India's capital, Delhi, topped the air pollution list today with a staggering AQI score of 601, categorizing its air quality as "hazardous." Following Dhaka in second place, Mumbai and Kolkata from India ranked third and fourth, respectively. The air quality in all three cities was classified as "very unhealthy."

According to IQAir's standards, an AQI score between 0 and 50 indicates good air quality. Scores between 51 and 100 are considered moderate or acceptable. Air quality is deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups when the score ranges from 101 to 150. From 151 to 200, it is categorized as unhealthy. Scores between 201 and 300 are classified as very unhealthy, while scores exceeding 301 are deemed hazardous, posing serious health risks.

The rising air pollution levels in Dhaka reflect an alarming environmental challenge that demands immediate attention from authorities to mitigate health risks for its residents.