KATHMANDU: The level of pollution which had decreased slightly following the rainfall a few days ago has increased in an alarming rate in the Kathmandu Valley yet again.

The Kathmandu Valley has topped the list of the polluted cities of the world on Monday morning with 309 Air Quality Index (AQI) which is considered harmful to the human health.

Similarly, Sauraha of Chitwan and Dhangadhi of Kailali have witnessed above 300 micrograms particles per cubic meter this morning.

The Valley has been blanketed with thick smog with the visibility of 1,500 meters, shared Min Kumar Aryal, a meteorologist.

Earlier, the Valley had been covered in mist for a week.

The presence of smog in the federal capital has been attributed to forest fires occurring in various districts of the country, according to the Department of and Hydrology and Meteorology.

Over 700 incidents of forest fires have taken place in the last 24 hours, according to the Department of Forests and Social Conservation.