United News of Bangladesh

Dhaka ranked second among the world’s most polluted cities on Thursday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 167 at 8:50 am. According to the AQI scale, the capital’s air quality was classified as “unhealthy,” meaning that the general public may begin to experience adverse health effects. Indonesia’s Jakarta ranked first with an AQI score of 174, followed by Uganda’s Kampala in second place with 162 and the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kinshasa in third with 160. An AQI score between 101 and 150 is considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” while readings between 151 and 200 are classified as “unhealthy.” Scores ranging from 201 to 300 are deemed “very unhealthy,” and readings above 301 are considered “hazardous,” posing serious health risks. The AQI serves as a daily measure of air quality, indicating how clean or polluted the air is and the potential health effects associated with exposure. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with severe air pollution. Air quality generally worsens during the winter months and improves during the monsoon season. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is responsible for around seven million deaths globally each year, primarily due to stroke, heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds and lightning flashes  in many places over the country in 24 hours commencing 9 am on Wednesday. According to the Met Office bulletin, rains may occur at many places over Rangpur, Mymensingh, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna & Barishal divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at other places over the country. The Met Office said day temperatures may fall slightly over the southern region, while remaining nearly unchanged elsewhere. Night temperatures, however, may rise slightly across the country.

Dhaka ranked fourth among the world’s most polluted cities on Wednesday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 134 at 8:35 am. According to the AQI scale, the capital’s air quality was classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” meaning that while the general public is unlikely to be affected, children, older adults and people with respiratory or heart conditions may face health risks if exposed for prolonged periods. Uganda’s Kampala topped the list with an AQI score of 173, followed by Indonesia’s Jakarta at 164 and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Kinshasa at 148. An AQI score between 101 and 150 is considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” while readings between 151 and 200 are classified as “unhealthy.” Scores ranging from 201 to 300 are deemed “very unhealthy,” and readings above 301 are considered “hazardous,” posing serious health risks. The AQI serves as a daily measure of air quality, indicating how clean or polluted the air is and the potential health effects associated with exposure. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with severe air pollution. Air quality generally worsens during the winter months and improves during the monsoon season. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is responsible for around seven million deaths globally each year, primarily due to stroke, heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

Bangladesh's capital Dhaka ranked 18th among cities with the worst air quality in the world on Monday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 86 at 9:00 am, indicating a 'moderate' level of air pollution. According to the AQI ranking, Pakistan’s Lahore topped the list with a score of 211, categorised as 'very unhealthy.' Iraq’s capital Baghdad ranked second with an AQI score of 165, while Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was third with a score of 163. An AQI score between 51 and 100 is considered moderate, meaning air quality is acceptable for most people, although unusually sensitive individuals may experience some health concerns. An AQI reading between 101 and 150 is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, while 151–200 is categorised as ‘unhealthy’. Readings between 201 and 300 are regarded as ‘very unhealthy’, and levels above 301 are considered ‘hazardous’, posing serious health risks to the population. Dhaka’s air quality has improved significantly compared to many previous days when the city frequently ranked among the world's most polluted urban centres. The AQI is a daily indicator that measures air quality and its potential impact on human health. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and ground-level ozone. Experts say prolonged exposure to polluted air can cause respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases and other health complications, particularly among children, older adults and people with existing health conditions.

Dhaka ranked 21st among the world's most polluted cities on Monday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 73 at 9:15 am. According to the AQI ranking, the capital's air quality was classified as ‘moderate’. Lahore in Pakistan topped the list with an AQI score of 169, followed by Santiago in Chile with 147 and Kinshasa with 144. Under the AQI scale, a reading between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’, indicating generally acceptable air quality. However, unusually sensitive individuals may experience minor health concerns and are advised to limit prolonged outdoor exertion. An AQI reading between 101 and 150 is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, while 151–200 is categorised as ‘unhealthy’. Readings between 201 and 300 are regarded as ‘very unhealthy’, and levels above 301 are considered ‘hazardous’, posing serious health risks to the population. The AQI is an index used to report daily air quality and inform people about how clean or polluted the air is, as well as the potential health effects associated with pollution levels. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution. Air quality typically worsens during the winter months and improves with the arrival of the monsoon season. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution causes around seven million deaths worldwide each year, mainly due to stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

A mild earthquake was felt in capital Dhaka and parts of Bangladesh on Sunday night. According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the tremor measured 5.6 on the Richter scale and its epicentre was located in Bhutan, 19km from Thimpu. It struck at 11.36pm. The quake caused panic among residents in Dhaka, with many people rushing out of their homes in fear. However, no damage was reported till the filing of this report.

Dhaka has ranked second on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality, with an AQI index of 178 at 10:15am today. Dhaka's air was classified as “unhealthy”, according to the air quality index. Kinshasa of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Jakarta of Indonesia and Santiago of Chile occupied the first, third and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 181, 156 and 155, respectively. No alternative to extensive afforestation to protect environment, combat climate change When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups”, between 150 and 200 is “unhealthy”, between 201 and 300 “very unhealthy”, while a reading of 301+ is considered “hazardous”, posing serious health risks to residents. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five 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.

Ahead of the FY2026–27 national budget, policymakers, researchers and public health experts on Saturday called for urgent reforms to Bangladesh's climate-health financing system, warning that budget allocations for the sector have declined despite growing climate-related health risks across the country. The call came at a high-level policy dialogue titled “Climate-Responsive Health Financing and Health System Resilience in Bangladesh,” organised by the Center for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD) in collaboration with HEKS/EPER and Shushilan at BRAC Centre Inn in Dhaka. Bangladesh seeks regional cooperation to address impacts of climate change Findings presented at the event showed that climate-relevant allocations within the Health Services Division fell from 2.74 percent of its total budget in FY2021-22 to 1.97 percent in FY2025-26. Health's share of the national climate budget also declined during the same period, dropping from about 2.5 percent to 1.5 percent, even as Bangladesh faces increasing exposure to climate-induced health threats. According to the study, less than one percent of financing from the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund (BCCTF) has been allocated to health-related projects. Of the 877 projects funded through the trust fund as of 2024, only three were implemented through the Health Services Division. The study also highlighted major structural weaknesses in climate-health financing. While Bangladesh's National Adaptation Plan (NAP) 2023–2050 identifies health as a key adaptation priority and the Health National Adaptation Plan (HNAP) estimates that approximately USD 1.4 billion will be needed over the next five years to build climate-resilient health systems, current financing remains heavily project-oriented. More than 60 percent of climate-health expenditure is concentrated in development projects, while critical investments in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, workforce capacity, climate-health research, and long-term health system resilience continue to receive limited attention. The findings suggested a persistent gap between national climate-health ambitions and the financing mechanisms needed to implement them. The event also featured findings from CPRD's study titled “Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on the Reproductive Health of Coastal Women and Adolescent Girls.” The study documents serious reproductive and maternal health challenges among women in coastal areas, linked to climate-induced poverty, water scarcity, salinity intrusion, and inadequate sanitation services. Women participating in the study reported a wide range of reproductive health complications, including irregular menstruation, severe menstrual pain, amenorrhea, abnormal bleeding, miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, postpartum infections, hemorrhage, and chronic reproductive health conditions. Discussants noted that these health impacts are no longer isolated public health concerns but represent a growing climate adaptation challenge requiring dedicated financing, stronger institutions, and improved coordination across government agencies. The dialogue brought together senior government officials, public health experts, researchers, development partners, civil society representatives, academics, climate specialists, and media professionals. The session was facilitated by Md. Shamsuddoha, Chief Executive of CPRD. He noted, “Climate finance remains a hazy space. To attract global attention and financing, quantitative evidence is essential. However, in climate-health discussions, the focus often remains limited to ensuring safe drinking water. We need to broaden that focus to ensure access to quality water for all aspects of daily life.” Shah Abdul Saadi, Deputy Secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD), emphasized that establishing a strong climate rationale is crucial for claiming and mobilizing international climate finance. He noted that as global public finance for adaptation has declined by USD 2 billion in a single year, Bangladesh's climate budget tagging system needs clearer definitions and stronger sectoral ownership. Prof. Dr. Md. Iqbal Kabir, Director, Climate Change and Health Promotion Unit (CCHPU), Health Services Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, observed, “Only 5 percent of global climate finance reaches the health sector, demonstrating that climate-health remains neglected globally, not only in Bangladesh. The scarcity of relevant data is also limiting our ability to develop stronger funding proposals and formulate evidence-based, data-driven policies.” AKM Sohel, Additional Secretary and UN Wing Chief, Economic Relations Division (ERD), emphasized that climate change has not yet been fully mainstreamed into development planning, resulting in fragmented initiatives. He stressed that climate research should be expanded beyond coastal areas to include other vulnerable regions of the country. He further highlighted the need for stronger data generation and improved climate literacy, noting that significant gaps remain in both areas. He also underscored the importance of creating a virtual platform to facilitate rapid access to information and collaboration opportunities. Given the decline in global climate finance and the likelihood of further reductions in the coming years, he called for maximizing the effective utilization of available resources and funding. He urged “The loss and damages related to health must be counted as economic one. That will enable us generating cost investments plan for accessing global climate funds.” The dialogue concluded with a set of policy recommendations for the FY2026–27 National Budget, including stronger integration of Health National Adaptation Plan priorities into national budgeting processes, improved climate-budget tracking systems, increased recurrent financing for preparedness and surveillance, and expanded access to domestic climate finance for health-led adaptation initiatives.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo on Friday emphasised the need to work together to address the impacts of climate change on mountains and communities dependent on them and called for regional cooperation for climate action. He also commended the role of mountaineers in promoting environmental awareness, building friendship, and strengthening people-to-people ties between Bangladesh and Nepal. The Environment Minister was speaking at a programme as the chief guest in the evening. Nature shows the way #NowForClimate To commemorate the 73rd International Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) Day, the Embassy of Nepal organised the ‘Expedition Video Contest’ under the theme ‘Mountains, Milestones, and Memories’, with the support of Bangla Mountaineering and Trekking Club (BMTC), in Dhaka. A total of 16 expeditioners representing various mountaineering and trekking clubs across Bangladesh participated in the Expedition Video Contest, sharing inspiring stories and experiences through their short videos.

Due to global climate change, Bangladesh, especially coastal areas, is increasingly experiencing irregular rainfall, prolonged droughts, excessive rainfall, waterlogging, and rising salinity. In this context, canals, wetlands, rivers, ponds, and other natural water bodies are vital nature-based solutions for strengthening resilience. But widespread illegal encroachment and land filling are destroying these ecosystems, disrupting natural water flow, and reducing the capacity to store rainwater. Heat wave may ease in parts of Bangladesh: BMD As a result, dependence on groundwater is increasing rapidly, while unregulated extraction through deep tube wells for agricultural irrigation and industrial use is accelerating depletion. Consequently, groundwater levels are falling at an alarming rate, many tube wells are becoming non-functional, and safe drinking water scarcity—particularly in coastal areas—is becoming increasingly severe. The speakers call for the eviction of all illegal encroachments from natural water bodies, strict enforcement of environmental and land-use laws, and full restoration of natural water flows. They also urge the government to implement a coordinated national program that prioritizes nature-based solutions, including the protection and rehabilitation of rivers, canals, wetlands, government ponds, and other open water systems. In addition, speakers emphasize large-scale promotion of rainwater harvesting, revival of water retention systems, and sustainable groundwater management to reduce dependency on deep tube wells. Today, 5 June 2026, marking World Environment Day 2026, a human chain organized by COAST Foundation was held in front of the Bhola District Press Club. During the program, speakers presented a set of demands related to environmental protection and climate justice. Representatives from civil society, women leaders, journalists, students, youth representatives, and people from various professions participated in the human chain. M.A. Hasan, Head of Climate Change of COAST Foundation, moderated the event. Among others, speeches were delivered by Nayemat Ullah, District Correspondent of Prothom Alo; Md. Taslim, General Secretary of Bhola District Krishak Dal; women leader Nurjahan Nila; Advocate Kamal Uddin Sultan; Harunur Rashid Shimul, District Correspondent of Daily Bangladesh Alo; Sumaiya Akhter of BD Clean; and Razib Ghosh from the COAST Climate Resilience Project. M.A. Hasan of COAST Foundation emphasized the importance of nature-based solutions in addressing environmental challenges. He called for the recovery of illegally occupied rivers, canals, and ponds, and urged measures to prevent further encroachment. He also stressed the need to excavate and conserve water bodies to enhance rainwater storage, ensure safe drinking water, recharge groundwater, and maintain ecological balance. Neyamat Ullah, District Correspondent of Prothom Alo, said that illegal sand extraction is one of the main causes of the degradation and filling of open water bodies. He urged the administration to take strict measures against this practice and noted that the declining groundwater level in the region has become a serious environmental concern. He warned that unless surface water conservation systems are strengthened, it will be difficult to avoid a future crisis in ensuring the availability of safe drinking water. Mir Mosharraf Hossain, Member Secretary of “Amra Bhola Bashi,” said that trees are being cut indiscriminately and supplied to local brick kilns as fuel. However, no effective action has been taken by the Department of Environment or the administration to address the issue. He warned that if such unchecked deforestation continues, it will be impossible to maintain ecological balance and protect the environment. Harunur Rashid Shimul, District Correspondent of Daily Bangladesh Alo, said that canals in Bhola town have been encroached upon and filled for tourism projects, while many government ponds are already occupied and others are at risk. He urged authorities to take swift action to recover and protect these water bodies, which are vital for rainwater conservation. Nurjahan Nila, women leader, said that people living around brick kilns are suffering from various serious diseases, including lung cancer and heart attacks, and the death rate is also increasing. She added that the use of fertile topsoil for brick production is gradually reducing soil fertility. She urged the administration to take strict action to shut down such environmentally and public health–hazardous brick kilns.