Kathmandu ranked world's most polluted city

KATHMANDU: In a worrying development, Kathmandu, Nepal's capital, has been labeled the most polluted city globally.

At 8:45 am, Kathmandu's air quality was marked as very unhealthy, with PM2.5 levels reaching 258 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3).

PM2.5, the main pollutant, poses significant health risks due to its tiny size.

Data from IQ AirVisual, a Swiss air-quality group, reveals Kathmandu's PM2.5 levels are a staggering 41.5 times higher than the World Health Organization's annual guideline value.

This unfortunate ranking places Kathmandu at the top of the list, ahead of cities like Delhi, Lahore, Dhaka, and Baghdad, all grappling with severe pollution issues.

The high pollution levels in Kathmandu highlight the pressing need for immediate action to improve air quality. It's crucial to implement effective measures and policies to protect public health and the environment in the region.