Haze linked to transboundary pollution has reduced air quality and visibility across the central and northern Maldives, prompting the Health Protection Agency to issue public health guidance.
The Maldives Meteorological Service has reported that fine particles in the atmosphere have lowered visibility, with readings falling to around two kilometres in northern atolls. Air Quality Index levels have reached 170 in Haa Dhaalu Kulhudhuffushi and 162 in Shaviyani Funadhoo, placing those areas in the unhealthy category. Central atolls, including Malé, have recorded moderate to unhealthy-for-sensitive-groups readings.
The Health Protection Agency said the conditions increase the risk of respiratory irritation and can aggravate existing lung and heart conditions. It advised people with respiratory illnesses, young children, the elderly and pregnant women to reduce outdoor exercise, wear N95 or equivalent masks when outside, keep windows closed and use air purifiers indoors where possible.
Southern atolls have remained in the good to moderate range. Meteorologists attribute the haze to pollutants carried by northeasterly winds from the Indian subcontinent, a pattern that typically intensifies during the transition to the northeast monsoon. Authorities expect the conditions to persist for several more days.
