KATHMANDU: Kathmandu, the federal capital of Nepal, has been grappling with severe air pollution, earning it a spot among the world’s most polluted cities in recent days.

As of Thursday, the air quality in the capital remains unhealthy, with PM2.5 levels soaring to alarming levels.

At 3:00 Pm, Kathmandu’s air quality was classified as “very unhealthy,” with PM2.5 levels reaching 134 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³).

PM2.5, a primary airborne pollutant consisting of tiny solid or liquid particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, poses significant health risks.

Data from IQ AirVisual, a Swiss organization specializing in global air-quality information, reveals that Kathmandu’s PM2.5 concentration exceeds the annual air quality guideline value set by the World Health Organization (WHO) by a staggering 9.4 times.

Here are some recent pictures depicting the air pollution plaguing Kathmandu Valley: