Kathmandu Air Quality Dips to Dangerous Levels, Ranks Second Most Polluted City Globally
Kathmandu has been listed as the world’s second most polluted city as AQI surges to 216, driven by dry weather, stagnant air, vehicle emissions, dust, and forest fire smoke.
Kathmandu’s air quality has sharply deteriorated, with the city now ranked as the second most polluted in the world. Recent measurements show the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 216, a level classified as “very unhealthy,” placing Kathmandu just behind Lahore, Pakistan.
The sudden spike in pollution is attributed to a combination of dry weather conditions, minimal wind movement, increasing vehicle emissions, ongoing construction dust, and smoke drifting from nearby forest fires. These factors have created a thick layer of smog across the valley, reducing visibility and worsening air conditions.
Health authorities are urging residents to take precautionary measures, including wearing masks outdoors, limiting outdoor physical activity, and keeping windows closed during peak pollution hours. Vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions are especially advised to remain indoors until conditions improve, ideally with the arrival of rain to help clear the air