Male' region sees high levels of haze

The Air Index Quality Monitors indicate a noticeable haze over Male' and several other parts of the Maldives. Authorities have urged people with respiratory conditions to exercise caution and advised extra care for children’s health.

As per information from IQAir (IQA), the "Fine Particulate Matter" (dust particles) or PM 2.5 is currently at 41.3 micrograms per cubic meter.

This value is 8.3 times higher than the safety level specified by the World Health Organization (WHO).

This is fine dust that can enter a person's lungs and bloodstream.

Being in the vicinity of such fine dust in such a thickness would cause issues in people who have breathing difficulties, with children experiencing coughing and breathing difficulties as well.

As per IQA's estimates, the next two to three days will see the air clear slightly, with the air quality becoming much worse than it is now by next Tuesday.

The Male' region is currently quite hazy, with visibility being low as well.

Each year, when the Southwest Monsoon transitions to the Northeast Monsoon, the air in Maldives becomes unclear, with this issue becoming quite severe at times.

As per weather research agencies, Maldives experiences haze due to Himalayan (a mountain chain shared by India, Pakistan and China) winds traveling to Maldives. The unclear nature of the winds have been determined to be dust and factory smoke.

As per websites and applications that share this information, the dust above India is thickest at Minicoy, Lakshadweep. 

Estimates have been drawn from the information which states that its effects will be seen largely in northern Maldives in the next two to three days.

New Delhi, famous for being the Indian city with the most polluted air, is currently experiencing this at a higher rate, to the point where it has become an obstacle for air and land travel.