Lack of rain causes persistent air pollution in Kathmandu (photos)

Kathmandu, January 21 — Since the heavy rainfall in late September, Kathmandu Valley has seen very little rain, causing continuous air pollution throughout this winter season.

Even though it is now January, the city’s landscape has begun to change due to the lack of rainfall. From the hills around the valley, the view of Kathmandu is obscured by haze and dust, with little visibility.

Kathmandu, often referred to as a concrete city, is now enveloped in polluted dust. For most days this winter, except for a few, the pollution levels in Kathmandu have remained at unhealthy levels.

Due to the absence of timely winter rains, dust has accumulated in the atmosphere, leading to a rise in air pollution. This week, wildfires in the surrounding hills and mountains of Kathmandu have added to the problem, with smoke from these fires further intensifying the pollution in the valley.

On Tuesday at 1 PM, the air quality in Lalitpur, measured by the US Embassy's air pollution monitor, showed an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 259, indicating that the air in that area is very unhealthy to breathe.

Similarly, the US Embassy’s monitor in Kathmandu recorded an AQI of 195, marking the air as unhealthy.

According to Swedish air quality measurement company IQAir, Kathmandu ranks as the fifth most polluted city in the world.

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