Kathmandu ranks first in global air pollution index

Apr 10, 2024

Kathmandu (Nepal), April 10 (ANI): The presence of a thin layer of polluted haze in Kathmandu has significantly deteriorated the air quality of the Himalayan nation's capital, resulting in it having the worst Air Quality Index (AQI) in the world. It has been few days that Kathmandu has continued to retain its position of most polluted city in the world. As per the reading by IQ Air, a Swiss group that collects real-time air-quality data round the globe, the particulate matter pollution (PM2.5) levels of Kathmandu on Tuesday morning stood at 241 micrograms per cubic meter. It further climbed to 258 by 10 AM (local time) with the start of office time in the national capital. Air pollution level of the bowl shaped valley has accelerated further due to the rise in forest fires across the country. On Monday alone, more than 150 incidents of forest fire were recorded in the Himalayan Nation which has continued to rage across the nation. Drop in the visibility due to the increased pollution level also impacted the operation of airport in Kathmandu on early hours of Wednesday as visibility there dropped to 2000 meters. Kathmandu valley which also is one of the densely populated hasn’t received precipitation since weeks letting pollutants to remain afloat in the atmosphere which has dropped the air quality. This situation underscores the pressing need for immediate measures to address air pollution in the region.