Air quality index shows the air in Male’ City is polluted to a level that is harmful to health. It indicates that air in the area has been considerably polluted this entire week.
A website that measures air quality levels, IQ Air Visual App, shows that the pollution level in central Male’ is AQI (Air Quality Index) 168.
Air quality is considered satisfactory when between a range of 50-99.
Once air quality index exceeds this level, the health of sensitive groups of people will be affected. Severe health conditions will be faced once the air quality rises significantly higher than the acceptable level.
It is deemed most dangerous to be outdoors once the AQI passes a range of 250.
The haze in central Male’ is estimated to clear out this Friday. However, the air quality index indicates the air will remain polluted next week as well.
The region of Maldives least affected by haze currently appears to be Laamu Atoll.
- Lung and heart disease patients, along with allergy sensitive individuals are advised to reduce time spent outdoors
- Wear a mask when outdoors
- The elderly and pregnant are advised to avoid spending extensive time outside
- Children and babies are advised to remain indoors
- Keep doors closed in residences
- Limit outdoor activities such as sports and exercise
MET office (Maldives Meteorological Services) had stated yesterday that the air flow from the eastern coast has polluted the air in northern and central male, reducing visibility significantly.
They also said that visibility is at up to 10km on a clear day and that in the past 24 hours, visibility has been reduced to a 5km radius, especially in Male’ area.
Last year during this period, a wide area in the country was faced with air pollution with visibility diminishing by 60 percent.
The air contamination in Northern India’s Himalayan zone had affected Maldives last year as well.
Presently, Northern India is facing severe air pollution, impeding transportation.
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