KATHMANDU: Air pollution in the Kathmandu Valley has decreased following an increase in wind speed, which has helped to reduce the concentration of pollutants in the air.
The Valley, which had been ranked as the world’s most-polluted city earlier this week, is now listed at number seven in terms of air quality.
On Thursday afternoon, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Kathmandu reached 348, making it the most-polluted city globally. However, by the time of this report, the AQI had dropped to 147.
According to the Government of Nepal’s air quality standards, an AQI between 101 and 150 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. While still concerning, the decrease in AQI indicates some improvement in air quality.
Gyan Raj Subedi, Director General of the Department of Environment, Ministry of Forests and Environment, attributed the improvement to increased wind speed.
He highlighted that public awareness and better coordination between the Department of Environment and other agencies are key to further reducing pollution levels in the region.
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