KATHMANDU: In a distressing revelation, Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, continues to hold the ignominious distinction of being the most polluted city globally.

The city’s persistent position atop the list of the world’s most polluted cities is attributed to the ongoing dry season and a spate of wildfires reported across the country in recent days.

Air quality in Kathmandu has plummeted to alarming levels, with PM2.5 levels soaring to 175 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) as of 9:30 am, as per data from IQ AirVisual. This marks Kathmandu as the most polluted city worldwide.

The current concentration of PM2.5 is a staggering 20.5 times higher than the annual air quality guideline value set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Following closely behind Kathmandu are Chiang Mai in Thailand, Chengdu in China, Medan in Indonesia, and Delhi in India, rounding up the top five most polluted cities globally.

In contrast, cities like Portland in the USA, Vancouver in Canada, and Auckland in New Zealand shine as beacons of cleaner air, offering a semblance of relief amid the concerning global air pollution crisis.