Kathmandu sixth most polluted city in the world

KATHMANDU, March 23: Capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu, has been ranked as the world’s sixth polluted city.

As per the 2021 IQAir World Air Quality Report of Switzerland-based IQAir, an air quality technology company, Kathmandu ranks at the top ten most polluted cities in the world. 

Likewise, Nepal has been ranked as the 10th most polluted country in the world.

Air quality in China has continued to improve in 2021, with data from 66% of Chinese cities showing decreased PM2.5 concentrations compared to 2020.

India's annual average PM2.5 levels reached 58.1 µg/m³ in 2021, ending a three-year trend of improving air quality. India's annual PM2.5 averages have now returned to pre-quarantine concentrations measured in 2019.

India was home to 11 of the 15 most polluted cities in Central and South Asia in 2021 with Delhi being the world's most polluted city. Of the 100 most polluted cities in the world, 67 are in India, according to the report.

Similarly, Bangladesh has been ranked as the world’s most polluted country followed by Chad, Pakistan, Tajikistan and India.

 The report has also estimated that in 2021, the deaths of 40,000 children under the age of five were directly linked to PM2.5 air pollution.