Dhaka Faces Growing Air Pollution Crisis as Winter Approaches-20260527073011-9271

As winter sets in across South Asia, Bangladesh’s capital city of Dhaka is once again grappling with a severe deterioration in air quality, raising alarms among public health experts and environmental activists. According to data from the Air Quality Index (AQI) monitoring stations, Dhaka ranked among the world’s most polluted cities on Wednesday, with an AQI reading of 248, placing it in the “very unhealthy” category. The primary pollutant identified was PM2.5, fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the lungs, leading to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

The annual spike in air pollution during the cooler months is a recurring challenge for Dhaka, a sprawling metropolis of over 10 million people. Experts attribute the phenomenon to a combination of factors: increased emissions from brick kilns operating in and around the city, vehicular exhaust from aging fleets, construction dust, and the burning of waste. Additionally, temperature inversions during winter trap pollutants close to the ground, exacerbating the problem. The Department of Environment (DoE) has reported that the number of brick kilns in the greater Dhaka region exceeds 1,000, many of which operate without adequate emission controls despite government regulations.

Health officials have warned that prolonged exposure to such high pollution levels can have serious consequences. Dr. Farhana Rahman, a pulmonologist at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, noted that hospitals have seen a 20 percent increase in patients reporting respiratory issues, including asthma attacks, bronchitis, and eye irritation. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable, she added. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution contributes to over 100,000 premature deaths annually in Bangladesh, one of the highest rates in the world.

In response, the government has taken some steps, such as shutting down illegal brick kilns and promoting the use of cleaner technologies. However, enforcement remains weak. Environment Minister Md. Shahab Uddin announced on Tuesday that a mobile court has been conducting raids across the city and its outskirts, fining several brick kiln owners for non-compliance. He also stated that the government is working on a long-term plan to phase out traditional kilns by 2030, but critics argue that the timeline is too slow given the urgency of the crisis.

Meanwhile, a recent study by the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) found that vehicle emissions account for nearly 40 percent of Dhaka’s winter pollution. The city’s streets are clogged with thousands of old buses, trucks, and three-wheelers that run on low-quality fuel. Efforts to introduce a modern public transport system, including a metro rail, are underway, but the first line is not expected to be fully operational until late 2024.

Environmental groups have called for more aggressive measures, including a ban on older vehicles, stricter enforcement of emission standards, and a shift to renewable energy for industrial operations. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, a prominent environmental lawyer, urged the government to declare a public health emergency, arguing that the current approach is insufficient. She also highlighted the need for public awareness campaigns to reduce waste burning and encourage the use of masks.

On the international front, the issue has drawn attention from global health bodies. The World Bank has allocated $200 million to help Bangladesh improve its air quality management, focusing on monitoring systems and capacity building. However, experts say that without political will and public cooperation, the funding alone cannot solve the problem.

As the winter deepens, residents of Dhaka are bracing for more days of choking smog, with many resorting to wearing masks and using air purifiers at home. The crisis underscores the broader challenge of balancing rapid urbanization with environmental sustainability in one of the world’s most densely populated countries.