Manama Air Quality Plunges to Unhealthy Levels Due to Dust Storms

Manama, Bahrain is currently experiencing poor air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeding 150, a level classified as “unhealthy.” The deterioration in air quality is primarily attributed to intense dust storms combined with urban emissions. As of September 24, 2025, at 10:30 PM Pacific Time, the city is grappling with elevated levels of particulate matter, particularly PM2.5, which is the dominant pollutant.

The high concentration of PM2.5 poses significant health risks to the population. Exposure to such levels can lead to severe respiratory issues, including aggravated asthma and bronchitis. Individuals with pre-existing heart conditions are also at greater risk, as are those with impaired lung function. Children, the elderly, and people with underlying health vulnerabilities are particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of the poor air quality.

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Authorities are advising residents to take precautionary measures to mitigate exposure. These include:

• Limiting outdoor activities as much as possible.
• Ensuring that windows and doors are properly sealed to prevent the entry of pollutants.
• Wearing protective masks, such as N95 respirators, when venturing outdoors.
• Utilizing air purifiers indoors to improve air quality within enclosed spaces.

The air quality situation in Manama is dynamic and subject to change. Real-time air quality maps provide up-to-date information on pollution levels across the city. On Thursday morning (local time), Manama ranked as the 2nd most polluted major city in the world.

While the current air quality conditions are unusually poor, it is important to note that the average PM2.5 concentration in Manama for the year 2024 was 31.8 µg/m³. This corresponds to an AQI of 93, which falls into the “moderate” category. However, this average concentration is still 6.36 times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) annual guideline of 5 µg/m³.

The current spike highlights the vulnerability of Manama to dust storms and the ongoing challenges in managing urban emissions to ensure better air quality for its residents.

Disclaimer: This news article is based on publicly available information and may be subject to updates.