KATHMANDU, April 21: Kathmandu continues to grapple with severe air pollution, securing its position as the second most polluted city among the top 10 cities in the world.

According to IQ Air's latest data, Beijing, the capital of China, retains its title as the world's most polluted city.

Earlier at 8 AM, Beijing's Air Quality Index (AQI) was measured at 165. Similarly, Kathmandu's AQI was recorded in 162. Which is considered dangerous for human health.

Despite the bright sunshine in Kathmandu today, pollution levels have remained stubbornly high. Experts attribute this to ongoing fires in various locations in India's western region, along with local pollution sources. The situation in Kathmandu is unlikely to improve significantly without heavy rain or strong winds.

Following Kathmandu, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates claims the third spot as the world's third most polluted city, with an AQI of 160.

In fourth place is Hanoi, Vietnam, with an AQI of 158, followed by Chiang Mai in Thailand, ranking fifth with an AQI of 155.

Moving down the list, India's capital, Delhi, holds the sixth position with an AQI of 153, while Bangkok, Thailand's capital, stands at seventh with an AQI of 152.

Further down the ranking, Medan in Indonesia takes the eighth spot with an AQI of 143, while Lahore in Pakistan follows closely as the ninth most polluted city worldwide, recording an AQI of 137. Closing the top 10 is China's Wuhan, with an AQI of 134.

 
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