KATHMANDU, Feb 16: Shankha Park in Kathmandu recorded the highest air pollution level in Nepal on Sunday, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 172 at noon, according to the Department of Environment.
Five locations within the Kathmandu Valley, namely Ratnapark, Bhaktapur, Khumaltar, and Bhaisepati, also registered unhealthy air quality, with AQI levels ranging from 164 to 168.
Nepal stands as fifth worst country for curbing air pollution
Outside the valley, Bharatpur in Chitwan had the highest AQI at 163, followed by Hetauda in Makwanpur (157), Dhangadhi in Kailali (155), and Dhulikhel in Kavre (153).
According to health standards, an AQI between 151 and 200 is considered unhealthy for all, while levels above 200 are classified as ‘very unhealthy’ and above 300 as ‘hazardous,’ as per WHO guidelines.
Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 concentration, a key indicator of air pollution, was highest in Hetauda at 95.3 micrograms per cubic meter, followed by 92.3 in Shankha Park. WHO standards consider PM 2.5 levels above 5 micrograms per cubic meter to be unhealthy.
