KATHMANDU: The air pollution has continued in many places of the country including the Kathmandu Valley with no signs of abatement.

Various cities including the federal capital have been blanketed with thick smog with a high concentration of dust particles and smoke.

According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the many cities including the Valley have been blanketed due to the forest fires taking place across the country.

Currently, forest fires have been occurring in more than 150 places in the country, according to the wildfire identification and monitoring system of the Department of Forests and Soil Conservation. Currently, Doti witnesses the highest number of forest fires with 13 followed by Pyuthan with 10.

The Valley has topped the global pollution chart as per the Air Quality Index (AQI) measured this morning.

The air pollution is high in places including Kirtipur, Ratnapark, Bhaktapur, Bhainsepati of Kathmandu, Bharatpur and Dhangadhi. The Department has said the Air Quality Index has shown above 300 micrograms of particulate matters per cubic meter.

The AQI measuring above 50 is considered harmful from the point of health.

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