The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has raised alarm over the worsening air quality in various districts across Sri Lanka, with only Nuwara Eliya maintaining a relatively healthy level.
According to the NBRO, all other districts are experiencing unhealthy air quality, with Colombo, Kandy, and Jaffna reporting notably high levels. Based on the US Air Quality Index (AQI), several districts including Colombo, Kilinochchi, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Badulla, Kurunegala, Kandy, and Matale are likely to pose adverse health effects due to poor air quality.
The NBRO attributes this decline to the infiltration of dust particles carried by strong winds from neighboring countries, exacerbated by the ongoing dry weather conditions. In response, the NBRO advises individuals with respiratory or cardiac conditions, along with the elderly and children, to wear face masks while outdoors as a precautionary measure.
