Singapore has surpassed Delhi to become the world’s most polluted city, according to the latest report by Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir. While Singapore occupied the top spot, Delhi ranked second, with Mumbai also featuring among the world’s most polluted cities.
The sharp deterioration in Singapore’s air quality has been linked primarily to large-scale forest fires in Indonesia. Smoke from the fires has spread across Southeast Asia, severely affecting air quality in Singapore, Malaysia, and neighboring regions.
Recent IQAir data placed Singapore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) in the ‘Unhealthy’ to ‘Very Unhealthy’ category. Delhi also continues to grapple with high pollution levels. Other cities featuring on the list include Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Dhaka, and Jakarta.
Experts attribute the worsening conditions to Indonesia’s forest fires and prevailing weather patterns. In response, the Singapore government has introduced subsidies to help residents cope with pollution-related health issues.
Meanwhile, pollution levels remain a concern in the National Capital Region. Dust from damaged roads and construction activities has significantly impacted air quality. On Wednesday, AQI was recorded at 203 in Noida and 225 in Greater Noida, making Greater Noida the country’s third most polluted city.
According to meteorologists, winds of around 20 kmph are preventing pollutants from accumulating in one area, keeping AQI levels from slipping into the ‘Severe’ category.
Despite this, air quality has remained in the ‘Poor’ category for the third consecutive day, with residents reporting eye irritation and breathing difficulties.
