KATHMANDU: The level of air pollution which had gone down following a brief rainfall a few days ago has resumed in the Kathmandu Valley since Monday.

Various cities including the federal capital have been blanketed with thick smog.

The air in the Valley has been polluted with the concentration of dust particles and smoke due to the lack of rainfall and or strong wind that would wash or blow away the smog, said senior meteorologist Raj Pradhanang.

According to staff members of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the many cities including the Valley have been blanketed due to the forest fires across the country. Currently, forest fires have been occurring in more than 700 places in the country, said the Department.

The Valley has topped the global pollution chart as per the Air Quality Index (AQI) measured this morning followed by Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh.

The AQI of the Valley was measured at 310 this morning which is very harmful to the human health. The AQI measuring above 50 can be harmful from the point of health.

According to the record maintained by the Department, the AQI was measured highest 324 in Bharatpur, 269 in Bhaktapur and 275 in Dhading.

Deputy General Director of the Department Indu Bikram Joshi said the level of pollution has slightly decreased today compared to Monday, but it is still harmful to the human health.

“If the air pollution continues at the same rate, the Department will recommend for the closure of educational institutes, industries and impose an odd-even rule on the means of transportation.

The air pollution has decreased the visibility, affecting the operations of domestic flights.