KATHMANDU, April 10: The Kathmandu Valley, which reported the world’s worst quality air in the past few days, witnessed a slight improvement on Saturday following a short spell of drizzle on Friday evening.
The fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) reading, that measures the air quality of a particular place, docked at 37.61 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) on Saturday afternoon between 1 and 2, the fairest air breathed in the country’s most-densely populated city.
Money on my mind
The air quality index (AQI), however, deteriorated in the morning hours between 6 and 11, measuring the worst of the day (92.56 μg/m3) between 8 and 9.
Triggered by widespread wildfires reported from nearly 60 districts across the country, and also a prolonged drought, the country’s atmosphere - particularly that of the Valley - deteriorated to the worst of the year.
A thick haze formed a canopy over the sky triggering eye and respiration problems. The educational institutions throughout the country were shut for four days a week ago owing to a massive deterioration in the quality of air.
