Air pollution across the Maldives has sharply deteriorated this week, forcing authorities to sound a strong public health warning as air quality readings in key areas have climbed into the hazardous “Red Alert” category. Latest government and independent data show that the worsening haze is affecting large portions of the archipelago, with visibility and respiratory safety emerging as immediate concerns.
Officially from the Health Protection Agency and the Maldives Meteorological Service have made coordinated public appeals for citizens to adopt precautionary behaviours, including staying indoors, reducing outdoor exertion, and wearing protective masks when brief exposure is unavoidable. These advisories follow air quality monitoring that reveals dangerous concentrations of fine particulate matter drifting across the nation.
In the Villingili area, readings from the Maldives National University’s monitoring station indicate the Air Quality Index (AQI) has soared past the threshold for a Red Alert, signalling air conditions unhealthy for everyone. AQI values between 151 and 200 represent a risk to the entire population, not just sensitive groups.
Data from IQAir confirms that concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) have spiked dramatically, far exceeding the World Health Organization’s annual guideline for safe air. These microscopic particles are especially harmful because they penetrate deep into lungs and enter the bloodstream, heightening risks of respiratory distress and cardiovascular strain.
Regional air quality varies, with several atolls reporting different AQI levels today. Kulhudhuffushi in the north shows a hazardous reading above 150, while Funadhoo in Shaviyani Atoll remains relatively moderate. Kudahuvadhoo in Dhaalu Atoll and Addu City both sit in the unhealthy range for sensitive groups, and Fuvahmulah’s index, though lower, warrants caution among at-risk individuals.
Meteorologists attribute the current pollution surge to transboundary haze driven by the ongoing Northeast Monsoon, a pattern that regularly transports dust, soot, and industrial emissions from northern India and South Asia into Maldivian skies. Experts describe this phenomenon as part of the wider Asian brown cloud effect, a seasonal atmospheric pattern that impacts air quality over the Indian Ocean region and beyond.
This annual cycle has become more pronounced in recent years, transforming what was once a rare seasonal annoyance into a predictable public health challenge for the Maldives. Given its timing during peak wind shifts, the haze has implications not only for health but also for visibility and travel operations across the islands.
With forecasts indicating that these conditions may persist for several days, authorities are urging residents to adopt protective measures immediately. Individuals with pre-existing health issues, children, and the elderly are particularly urged to limit exposure. Simple actions like keeping doors and windows closed and using indoor air purifiers can help mitigate the impact of polluted air.
This episode underscores the growing urgency of addressing air quality risks that cross national borders, highlighting the need for both local readiness and regional collaboration to safeguard public health.
