KATHMANDU, APRIL 23
Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, ranked as the second most polluted major city in the world on Wednesday, trailing only Lahore, Pakistan, according to real-time air quality data from IQAir, as PM2.5 pollution levels in the capital soared to more than 32 times the World Health Organization's annual guideline value.
The city recorded a US Air Quality Index of 197 at midday, placing it in the "Very Unhealthy" category. PM2.5 fine particulate matter, the most harmful category of airborne pollutant, was measured at 161.7 micrograms per cubic metre, against the WHO annual guideline of 5 micrograms per cubic metre. PM10 coarse particulate levels stood at 149.7 micrograms per cubic metre.
Among monitoring stations within Kathmandu, Mid Baneshwor recorded the highest reading at an AQI of 272, followed by Balaju at 267, Gaushala Chowk at 245 and Golfutar at 244. Among Nepal's cities, Dhangadhi in the Far West recorded the highest AQI at 237, followed by Bhaktapur at 211, Kathmandu at 211 and Patan at 209.
IQAir advised residents to avoid outdoor exercise, keep windows closed to prevent polluted air from entering homes, wear masks when going outside and run air purifiers indoors.
While pollution levels are forecast to ease slightly through the evening and overnight hours, with the AQI projected to drop to around 98 by Friday morning, levels are expected to remain in the unhealthy range through the weekend, with Saturday and Sunday forecasts of 121 and 113 respectively. A more meaningful improvement is projected only by the middle of next week, when forecast readings approach 99 to 101, partly aided by higher chances of rainfall.
