Kathmandu ranks second in worst air quality

Kathmandu, February 21 — Kathmandu ranks second in air quality index with an AQI of 208, following Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, which topped the list with an AQI score of 242 at 10:40 am on Friday.

According to the AQI index, Friday’s air quality was classified as "very unhealthy," posing a severe health risk to residents.

This marks the third consecutive day that air quality has continued to deteriorate.

The AQI categorizes air quality as follows: 50–100: Moderate – Sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, 101–150: Unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151–200: Unhealthy, 201–300: Very unhealthy, 301+: Hazardous – Poses serious health risks to residents.

Delhi (India) and Karachi (Pakistan) occupied the third and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 198 and 196, respectively.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a measure used to report daily air pollution levels, informing people about the cleanliness of the air and the potential health risks associated with it.

In Nepal, the AQI is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and ozone (O₃).

Kathmandu has long struggled with severe air pollution, with air quality typically worsening in winter and improving during the monsoon season.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for an estimated seven million deaths worldwide each year, primarily due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.