MP Urges Gov’t To Hold Bilateral Talks As Air Pollution Worsens

Central Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu) has warned that air quality across the Maldives has deteriorated to levels that pose a serious threat to public health, calling on the government to engage in bilateral talks with neighbouring countries to address the issue.

Speaking on the worsening conditions, MP Ibrahim said air pollution has reached an “extremely dangerous” level, adding that the situation continues to worsen even during the peak tourist season, when air quality typically improves.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said the country is likely to experience poor air quality over the next five days, warning that pollution levels may remain at unhealthy levels and continue to pose risks to public health.

ރާއްޖޭގެ ވައި މިވަރަށް ނުސާފުވުމަކީ އިޤްތިޞާދަށާއި އާންމު ސިއްޙަތަށް އޮތް ވަރަށް ބޮޑު ނުރައްކަލެއް.
ހާއްސަގޮތެއްގައި ފަތުރުވެރިކަމުގެ ހައި ސީޒަނުގައި ދުމުގައި ވަސް ހުންނަ މިންވަރަށް ވައި ތަޣައްޔަރުވުމުގެ މައްސަލަ ހައްލުކުރުމަށް އަވަށްޓެރި ޤައުމުތަކާއެކު އަވަސް މަޝްވަރާތަކެއް… pic.twitter.com/NsWd2sPvXl— MohamedKudu (@mohamedkudu) January 7, 2026

Recent data from air quality monitoring systems show hazardous pollution levels in the Malé region and other parts of the country. Monitoring equipment at the Maldives National University’s Centre for Maritime Studies in Villingili recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 179, placing the area under a red alert, while a privately operated monitor in Malé registered an AQI of 139, categorised as an orange alert. AQI readings at these levels are considered unhealthy for the general population and pose heightened risks to vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory illnesses.

Data from IQAir also showed that concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Villingili were significantly above international safety thresholds, far exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended limits.

Authorities have issued public health advisories urging residents to limit outdoor activities, wear face masks when outside, keep windows and doors closed, and use air purifiers indoors where possible.

Elevated pollution levels have also been recorded in other regions, including Dhaalu Kudahuvadhoo and Laamu Gan, while moderate to unhealthy readings were reported in Shaviyani Funadhoo, Fuvahmulah City, and Addu City. Several areas experienced darkened skies and reduced visibility throughout the day.

MP Ibrahim urged the government to pursue diplomatic engagement with neighbouring countries to discuss solutions to mitigate the worsening air pollution and its impact on public health.