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AQI: Dhaka on top 5th list among unhealthy air quality

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With an air quality index (AQI) score of 199 at 9:20 am Tuesday (April 11, 2023), Dhaka ranked 5th in the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.

China’s Beiijng, India’s Delhi, and Pakistan’s Lahore occupied the first three spots on the list, with AQI scores of 482, 359 and 263, respectively.

An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered “unhealthy”, while between 201 and 300 it is considered “very unhealthy”, and 301–400 is “hazardous”, posing severe health risks to residents.

In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants — Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.

Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.

Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide.

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Rain and Gusty Winds Likely in Major Divisions: Met

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Rain or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty or squally winds, are expected to occur at one or two places across seven divisions in the next 24 hours starting from 9 am today.

According to a meteorological office release, “Rain or thunder showers, accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind, are likely to occur at one or two places over Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy skies elsewhere across the country.”

A trough of westerly low lies over West Bengal and adjoining areas, while a seasonal low lies over the South Bay.

On Wednesday, the country recorded a maximum temperature of 36.5°C at Rangamati, while the minimum temperature today was recorded at 18.2°C in Nikli.

The maximum rainfall for the last twenty-four hours until 6 am today was recorded at 17 millimeters (mm) in Chandpur.

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Dhaka Metro Extends Operating Hours

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In a significant move to improve late-night transportation accessibility, the Dhaka Metro Rail has announced an extension of its operating hours. As of today, the service will run an additional hour beyond its previous closing time, concluding at 9:40 pm.

MAN Siddique, the Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), clarified that this decision is in direct response to the growing public demand for extended metro service hours. The announcement, made on March 25, signifies a crucial shift in the metro’s schedule to better serve late-evening commuters.

Under the new timetable, the last train from the Motijheel station will depart at 9:40 pm, while the final departure from the Uttara terminal is scheduled for 9:20 pm. This adjustment will introduce trains departing every 12 minutes during the additional service hour, adding 10 trains to the daily rotation.

With this extension, the total number of daily metro trips will increase from 184 to 194, demonstrating DMTCL’s dedication to enhancing public transportation accessibility and convenience.

Prior to this modification, Dhaka Metro Rail’s operating hours were from 7 am to 8:40 pm. During peak hours, trains ran every 8 minutes—from 7 am to 11:30 am and 2 pm to 8 pm—while during off-peak periods, between 11 am and 2:30 pm, the frequency was every 12 minutes. This schedule adjustment is expected to greatly benefit metro users in Dhaka by offering more flexible travel options in the evening.

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Environment Minister Praises Bangabandhu’s Environmental Vision

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Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury highlighted Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s visionary approach to environment-friendly development in Bangladesh.

“Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman laid the groundwork for environmental protection in Bangladesh long before the first Earth Summit in Rio,” Chowdhury remarked. “He enacted ordinances to combat water pollution and passed laws to safeguard wildlife and biodiversity, even amid the challenges of post-war Bangladesh. It’s our duty to honor Bangabandhu’s vision by realizing his dream of ‘Sonar Bangla’, a nation thriving in happiness, prosperity, and environmental serenity.”

Chowdhury made these remarks at a discussion organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, titled “The historical leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the development of the country,” held at the Department of Environment to commemorate Independence and National Day 2024.

The Minister emphasized Bangabandhu’s unifying leadership, transcending religious and cultural divides, and his pursuit of a democratic system to replace Pakistan’s regime. Chowdhury stressed the ongoing struggle for economic, social, and cultural liberation in Bangladesh, emphasizing the importance of unity for national development, irrespective of political affiliations.

The discussion, chaired by Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, saw the participation of officials including Additional Secretary (Administration) Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Additional Secretary (Environment) Dr. Fahmida Khanom, Md. Nasir Uddin, Chairman of Bangladesh Forest Industry Development Corporation, Md. Zainal Abedin, Managing Director of Bangladesh Climate Change Trust, Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director General of the Department of Environment, and Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury, Chief Conservator of Forest.

The event also featured a screening of a documentary highlighting the remarkable life and contributions of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

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