Dhaka, Bangladesh Air Quality & Smog

Dominant pollutants, when pollution and smog are worst, a notable historical episode, and the official monitoring agencies for Dhaka, Bangladesh — plus how to check the current reading. Dhaka reports air quality on the Bangladesh Air Quality Index, not the US AQI — our guide to world air-quality indices explains how the major scales compare.

Dominant pollutants

PM2.5 — among the highest of any capital city.

Seasonal pattern: when smog is worst

Dhaka suffers severe winter (roughly November–March) particulate pollution. The brick kilns ringing the city, construction dust, traffic, and transboundary transport combine under dry, stagnant conditions; the monsoon brings relief. Dhaka routinely tops global live city-pollution rankings in winter.

A notable air-quality episode

Through the winters of 2023 and 2024, Dhaka repeatedly ranked as the most polluted major city in the world in live rankings, with AQI well into hazardous territory.

The local index and who runs it

Dhaka reports air quality using the Bangladesh Air Quality Index, not the US AQI — so the same air can read as a different number than you may be used to. Bangladesh's DoE publishes a national AQI (similar in structure to the US scale); see our world air-quality indices guide for context.

• Bangladesh Department of Environment (DoE)

How to check air quality in Dhaka

For the official live reading, the agency portals above are the canonical source. To understand what the numbers mean, see our guide to world air-quality indices and how they compare to the US AQI. Smog Report puts glanceable air quality on your iPhone — widgets, Live Activities, Siri, and Apple Watch — free and with no account.

Common questions about Dhaka air quality

Why does Dhaka have air-quality and smog problems?

Dhaka suffers severe winter (roughly November–March) particulate pollution. The brick kilns ringing the city, construction dust, traffic, and transboundary transport combine under dry, stagnant conditions; the monsoon brings relief. Dhaka routinely tops global live city-pollution rankings in winter.

What are the main air pollutants in Dhaka?

Dhaka's dominant pollutants are PM2.5 — among the highest of any capital city. The reading on any given day is usually driven by whichever of these is highest.

Has Dhaka had a major air-quality or smog event?

Through the winters of 2023 and 2024, Dhaka repeatedly ranked as the most polluted major city in the world in live rankings, with AQI well into hazardous territory.

What air-quality index does Dhaka use?

Dhaka reports air quality on the Bangladesh Air Quality Index (AQI), not the US AQI — so the same air can read as a different number than you may be used to. For live, glanceable readings on your iPhone, the free Smog Report app auto-selects the right local index for wherever you are.

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