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Indonesia’s capital struggles to breathe amid worsening air pollution

Jakarta’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 154, placing the capital in the “unhealthy” category, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration measured at 59.2 micrograms per cubic metre.

Vehicles travel through the streets of Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Vehicles travel through the streets of Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Jakarta (VNA) – Air quality in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta was recorded at an alarming level on May 11, ranking fourth among the most polluted cities in the world with pollution level fell into the “unhealthy” category.

Indonesia’s ANTARA News reported that according to real-time data from air quality monitoring platform at 5:40 AM on May 11, Jakarta’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 154. This reading places the capital in the “unhealthy” category, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration measured at 59.2 micrograms per cubic metre.

This veil indicates a high risk for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and people with lung disease. In addition to having an impact on human health, poor air quality can also damage vegetation, affect sensitive animals, and reduce environmental aesthetic value.

With this condition, the people of Jakarta are advised to take preventive measures such as wearing masks when outdoors, closing windows to prevent the entry of polluted air, and turning on air clarity tools indoors.

Globally, Lahore in Pakistan recorded the worst air quality with AQI 186, followed by Delhi in India (199), and Kinshasa in Congo (160)./.

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