HPA urges caution as weekend air quality declines

Health Protection Agency (HPA) has advised the public to take precautionary measures as the air quality in the country is expected to worsen over the weekend. 

Citing MET alerts, HPA said that there will be haze or air pollution to dangerous levels across the country, particularly in Central Maldives over these two days. 

They urged the public to take precautionary measures. Advise from the agency calls for:

Air quality levels can be checked via this <a href="https://www.iqair.com/maldives?fbclid=IwY2xjawPoWyxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFQYjBjR2JXTEtYdENORk54c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgXxW3li1GuuaVSl7C7YLjQ6kTmvfCWGJ637mxukes91lrZe9Xxw0vQrLjdg_aem_OWee5h4Cn-bNozKOvWavOA">link</a> shared by the Environment Ministry or through installing the IQAir Visual App.&nbsp;

MET Office issued a statement yesterday warning air pollution levels all over Maldives have reached dangerous levels. The office also said that yesterday marked the highest level of pollution within the last week. These conditions are expected to persist over the weekend, they said.&nbsp;

Visibility will also be decreased to 2km or less, according to MET Office.&nbsp;

"Due to northeastern winds, the coming two days will see the effects of haze in Maldivian airspace," said the MET Office.

Maldives is typically affected by transboundary air pollution during the northeast monsoon (Iruvai monsoon), caused by dust and industrial emissions originating from northern India. The haze often leads to reduced visibility and can trigger respiratory and other health problems.