According to the Air Quality Index (AQI), the concentration of PM2.5 particles in Tashkent reached dangerously high levels in the early hours of the day. While the situation has improved slightly as the day progressed, the air quality remains well above safe levels.

This isn’t the first time Tashkent has experienced such severe pollution. In September, the city saw multiple spikes in air pollution levels. In response to inquiries from Kun.uz, the Ministry of Ecology provided insights into the primary sources of pollution, citing both natural and human-made factors.

According to the ministry, dust pollution in Uzbekistan is driven by the country's arid climate and sandy soils, combined with human activities such as transportation, industry, and construction. Additional atmospheric conditions like weak winds, temperature inversions, and stagnant air further exacerbate pollution levels.

It is worth noting that on the evening of September 29, Tashkent recorded a PM2.5 concentration of 166 µg/m³, ranking the city second globally for the most polluted air, according to the international IQAir database.