Pokhara records highest air pollution in Nepal today

Kathmandu, February 12

Pokhara recorded the highest air pollution levels in Nepal today, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 187 in the Gandaki Boarding area, according to the Department of Environment. An AQI above 50 is considered unhealthy. Bharatpur in Chitwan ranked second with an AQI of 170, as per air quality monitoring under the Ministry of Forests and Environment.

Bhaisepati recorded an AQI of 154, placing it third, while Ratna Park registered 151. Other highly polluted areas today include Khumaltar, Shankha Park, Bhaktapur, and Dhulikhel. Yesterday, Shankha Park was the most polluted location in Nepal, with an AQI exceeding 208.

According to the Department of Environment, an AQI of 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 moderate, 101-150 unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151-200 unhealthy, 201-300 very unhealthy, and above 301 hazardous.

The department has warned that air pollution levels are typically high from December to June and advised the public, particularly children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with respiratory or heart conditions, to take precautions.

Meanwhile, Kathmandu ranked as the seventh most polluted city in the world today, with an AQI of 161, according to IQAir, a global air pollution monitoring platform.

Hanoi, Vietnam, topped the list with an AQI of 213, while Wuhan, China, ranked sixth with 163, and Delhi, India, was eighth with 160.

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