Kathmandu AQI hits 191, third most polluted city globally

KATHMANDU: Air pollution in the Kathmandu Valley has surged, reaching an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 191 by Monday noon, up from 178 earlier in the day.

This level falls under the “Unhealthy for All” category, posing significant risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or heart conditions.

According to the Air Quality Index, Kathmandu has now been ranked the third most polluted city in the world, after Delhi, India (AQI 229) and Lahore, Pakistan (AQI 203).

Gyanraj Subedi, Director General of the Department of Environment, warned that pollution levels could rise further if rains do not occur soon. “Rain helps settle dust and airborne particles.

Prolonged dry spells could worsen air quality,” he said, urging authorities to implement sustainable and eco-friendly measures effectively.

Environmental activist Barsha Parajuli pointed to rapid urbanization, vehicle emissions from diesel and petrol, dust from construction sites, forest fires, and extended dry periods as key factors driving the pollution surge. “If timely control measures are not taken, the situation could become more severe,” she cautioned.

The AQI classification indicates that readings up to 50 are considered Good (green), 51–100 Moderate (yellow), 101–150 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, 151–200 Unhealthy for All, 201–300 Very Unhealthy, and above 300 Hazardous.

Under the Kathmandu Valley Air Quality Management Action Plan, 2076, AQI readings above 300 are treated as a disaster, prompting measures such as halting open waste burning, increasing street cleaning with sweepers and vacuum machines, and issuing public warnings to vulnerable populations.

The National Environment Policy, 2076, mandates establishing quality standards to reduce air, water, soil, noise, electromagnetic, radioactive, and chemical pollution. The government also plans to set up monitoring centers in major cities and industrial areas to map air, water, and noise quality.

Authorities and environmentalists urge the public to take precautionary measures and remain vigilant, as prolonged dry weather could further deteriorate air quality in the valley.