KATHMANDU, March 23: Air pollution in the country, including the federal capital, Kathmandu, has declined markedly since the rainfall last Friday.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 178, making Kathmandu the second most polluted city in the world a week ago. The AQI has declined sharply, placing Kathmandu City at AQI 60. This means Kathmandu is now the 67th most polluted city in the world.
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AQI readings from 0 to 50 are considered 'good', 51 to 100 'requires alertness', 100 to 150 'unhealthy', and 150 to 200 'unhealthy', with significant impacts on people with respiratory and heart diseases. It is 'unhealthy for all' if the AQI ranges from 151 to 200, while the 'very unhealthy' stage is 201 to 300 and 'very dangerous' in case of the AQI above 300.
Director General of the Department of Environment, Gyanraj Subedi, stated that the rainfall, coupled with stormy conditions, swept away dust and polluted particles. It resulted in clean air.
