National
Dhaka topped on worst Global air quality
Dhaka has topped the list of cities around the world with the worst air quality continuously and on Friday as well (March 3, 2023).
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 221 at 8:40 am, the city ranked first in the list of world cities with the worst air quality.
An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered “unhealthy,” 201 and 300 “very unhealthy,” and 301 to 400 is considered “hazardous,” posing serious health risks to residents.
Vietnam’s Hanoi, Thailand’s Chiang Mai and Myanmar’s Yangon occupied the second, third and fourth spots in the list, with AQI scores of 207, 198 and 196, respectively.
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.
Breathing polluted air has long been recognized as increasing a person’s chances of developing heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted rain or thundershowers across all eight divisions in the next 24 hours starting from 9 am today.
According to the BMD, “Rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at a few places over Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barisal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions, and at a few places over Rangpur division with hails at isolated places in the next 24 hours as of 9 am tomorrow.”
A mild heat wave is currently sweeping over the districts of Gopalganj, Jashore, and Chuadanga, but it may abate soon.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The maximum temperature recorded on Monday was 37.6 degrees Celsius in Jashore, while the minimum temperature today was 18.8 degrees Celsius in Bandarban.
Rainfall over the last 24 hours until 6 am today was measured at 130mm in Feni.
Today, the sun is set to set at 6:20 PM and rise at 5:19 AM tomorrow in the capital.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the newly constructed Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) Bhaban and Senaprangan (Army Central Auditorium) Bhaban in Dhaka Cantonment today, unveiling their name plaques and cutting ribbons to enter AFIP Bhaban. During her visit, she toured different facilities within AFIP Bhaban, where AFIP Commandant Major General Dr Nishat Jubaida briefed her on its main features and facilities.
The project, “Extension and Modernization of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP),” approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in 2019, aimed to meet the increasing demand for pathology services. Remarkably, the project was completed ahead of schedule, by December 2024.
The 14-storey AFIP Bhaban boasts a modern laboratory equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including next-generation sequencing, automated microbial identification systems, transmission electron microscopes, and multi-headed microscopes, ensuring international standard services.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Prof Dr Samanta Lal Sen, Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, and other dignitaries graced the occasion.
Following the inauguration of Senaprangan Bhaban, the prime minister also cut a ribbon to enter the new facility. Senaprangan serves as the army’s central auditorium for hosting various national and international-level events such as meetings, seminars, and social gatherings, with Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed and high-level army officers in attendance.
Rain or thundershowers are likely in various parts of the country as the day temperature may further decrease amidst a severe heat wave in Pabna, Jashore, Chuadanga, and Bagerhat districts, according to a meteorological release today.
The release predicts rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty/squally winds in a few places across the Sylhet division and at one or two places in Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Barishal, and Chattogram divisions, with hails possible at isolated locations within the next 24 hours starting from 9 am today.
Mild to moderate heat waves are sweeping over Dhaka, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Barishal divisions, as well as the remaining parts of Khulna division, and the districts of Moulvibazar and Chandpur, as per the release.
The weather is expected to remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy skies elsewhere across the country.
Day and night temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged nationwide.
The sun sets at 6:29 pm today and rises at 5:21 am tomorrow in the capital.
