"Polluted Environment"

#13485054

22 Mar 2026

The Swayambhunath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is seen from a hill station surrounding Kathmandu Valley after pre-monsoon rainfall reduces air pollution on March 22, 2026. Air pollution in the country, including the federal capital, Kathmandu, has declined significantly. The Air Quality Index (AQI) previously stood at 178, making Kathmandu the second most polluted city in the world a week ago. The AQI has now decreased to 60. An AQI measurement from 0 to 50 is considered 'good', while 51 to 100 'requires alertness'. Levels from 100 to 150 are 'unhealthy' for people with respiratory and heart diseases. An AQI from 151 to 200 is 'unhealthy for all', 201 to 300 is 'very unhealthy', and above 300 is 'very dangerous'.

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#13485055

22 Mar 2026

A general view of the Kathmandu Valley is seen from a hill station after pre-monsoon rainfall reduces air pollution on March 22, 2026. Air pollution in the country, including the federal capital, Kathmandu, has declined significantly. The Air Quality Index (AQI) previously stood at 178, making Kathmandu the second most polluted city in the world a week ago. The AQI has now decreased to 60. An AQI measurement from 0 to 50 is considered 'good', while 51 to 100 'requires alertness'. Levels from 100 to 150 are 'unhealthy' for people with respiratory and heart diseases. An AQI from 151 to 200 is 'unhealthy for all', 201 to 300 is 'very unhealthy', and above 300 is 'very dangerous'.

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#13485056

22 Mar 2026

A general view of the Kathmandu Valley is seen from a hill station after pre-monsoon rainfall reduces air pollution on March 22, 2026. Air pollution in the country, including the federal capital, Kathmandu, has declined significantly. The Air Quality Index (AQI) previously stood at 178, making Kathmandu the second most polluted city in the world a week ago. The AQI has now decreased to 60. An AQI measurement from 0 to 50 is considered 'good', while 51 to 100 'requires alertness'. Levels from 100 to 150 are 'unhealthy' for people with respiratory and heart diseases. An AQI from 151 to 200 is 'unhealthy for all', 201 to 300 is 'very unhealthy', and above 300 is 'very dangerous'.

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#13485057

22 Mar 2026

Photographers take photos against the backdrop of Kathmandu Valley as seen from a hill station after pre-monsoon rainfall reduces air pollution, on March 22, 2026. Air pollution in Nepal, including in the capital, Kathmandu, has decreased significantly. The Air Quality Index (AQI) previously stood at 178, making Kathmandu the second most polluted city in the world a week ago. The AQI has now sharply declined to 60. An AQI measurement from 0 to 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 'requires alertness', 100 to 150 is 'unhealthy' for people with respiratory and heart diseases, 151 to 200 is 'unhealthy for all', 201 to 300 is 'very unhealthy', and above 300 is 'very dangerous'.

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#13485062

22 Mar 2026

A general view of the Kathmandu Valley is seen from a hill station after pre-monsoon rainfall reduces air pollution on March 22, 2026. Air pollution in the country, including the federal capital, Kathmandu, has declined significantly. The Air Quality Index (AQI) previously stood at 178, making Kathmandu the second most polluted city in the world a week ago. The AQI has now decreased to 60. An AQI measurement from 0 to 50 is considered 'good', while 51 to 100 'requires alertness'. Levels from 100 to 150 are 'unhealthy' for people with respiratory and heart diseases. An AQI from 151 to 200 is 'unhealthy for all', 201 to 300 is 'very unhealthy', and above 300 is 'very dangerous'.

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#13485064

22 Mar 2026

A general view of the Kathmandu Valley is seen from a hill station after pre-monsoon rainfall reduces air pollution on March 22, 2026. Air pollution in the country, including the federal capital, Kathmandu, has declined significantly. The Air Quality Index (AQI) previously stood at 178, making Kathmandu the second most polluted city in the world a week ago. The AQI has now decreased to 60. An AQI measurement from 0 to 50 is considered 'good', while 51 to 100 'requires alertness'. Levels from 100 to 150 are 'unhealthy' for people with respiratory and heart diseases. An AQI from 151 to 200 is 'unhealthy for all', 201 to 300 is 'very unhealthy', and above 300 is 'very dangerous'.

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#13456654

16 Mar 2026

Snow-capped mountain ranges are visible behind the Narayanhiti Palace as air quality improves in the Kathmandu Valley following rainfall and snowfall in surrounding regions in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 16, 2026. The precipitation has helped clear the thick smog that had blanketed the capital in recent days, significantly improving visibility. Earlier in the week, Kathmandu ranked among the world's most polluted cities, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching very unhealthy levels above 200, placing the city among the top three most polluted cities globally according to data from IQAir's AirVisual monitoring platform.

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#13456655

16 Mar 2026

Snow-capped mountain ranges are visible behind the Narayanhiti Palace as air quality improves in the Kathmandu Valley following rainfall and snowfall in surrounding regions in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 16, 2026. The precipitation has helped clear the thick smog that had blanketed the capital in recent days, significantly improving visibility. Earlier in the week, Kathmandu ranked among the world's most polluted cities, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching very unhealthy levels above 200, placing the city among the top three most polluted cities globally according to data from IQAir's AirVisual monitoring platform.

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#13456656

16 Mar 2026

Snow-capped mountain ranges are visible behind the Narayanhiti Palace as air quality improves in the Kathmandu Valley following rainfall and snowfall in surrounding regions in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 16, 2026. The precipitation has helped clear the thick smog that had blanketed the capital in recent days, significantly improving visibility. Earlier in the week, Kathmandu ranked among the world's most polluted cities, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching very unhealthy levels above 200, placing the city among the top three most polluted cities globally according to data from IQAir's AirVisual monitoring platform.

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#13439095

13 Mar 2026

A dense layer of smog engulfs the Kathmandu Valley in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 13, 2026. Air pollution intensifies across the bowl-shaped capital, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) fluctuating between 200 and 250, placing the city in the ''very unhealthy'' category and among the world's most polluted cities, according to data from the air quality monitoring platform IQAir's AirVisual. Measurements show fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at 129.9 micrograms per cubic meter--more than 25 times higher than the safe limit recommended by the World Health Organization--while PM10 levels reach 100.3 ug/m3. Nepal's national AQI scale classifies readings above 200 as very unhealthy and levels exceeding 300 as hazardous. The Ministry of Health and Population advises residents to take protective measures, noting that long-term exposure to polluted air can lead to serious health complications including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. Studies on air pollution also link prolonged exposure to increased risks of diabetes, reduced lung function, and premature death.

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#13439096

13 Mar 2026

A dense layer of smog engulfs the Kathmandu Valley in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 13, 2026. Air pollution intensifies across the bowl-shaped capital, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) fluctuating between 200 and 250, placing the city in the ''very unhealthy'' category and among the world's most polluted cities, according to data from the air quality monitoring platform IQAir's AirVisual. Measurements show fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at 129.9 micrograms per cubic meter--more than 25 times higher than the safe limit recommended by the World Health Organization--while PM10 levels reach 100.3 ug/m3. Nepal's national AQI scale classifies readings above 200 as very unhealthy and levels exceeding 300 as hazardous. The Ministry of Health and Population advises residents to take protective measures, noting that long-term exposure to polluted air can lead to serious health complications including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. Studies on air pollution also link prolonged exposure to increased risks of diabetes, reduced lung function, and premature death.

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#13439097

13 Mar 2026

Swayambhunath temple appears faintly in the distance as thick smog blankets the Kathmandu Valley in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 13, 2026. The capital experiences severe air pollution, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) ranging between 200 and 250, placing it in the ''very unhealthy'' category and ranking Kathmandu among the world's most polluted cities, according to the air quality monitoring platform IQAir's AirVisual. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), the most dangerous airborne pollutant because it can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, is recorded at 129.9 micrograms per cubic meter--more than 25 times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended safe limit of 5 ug/m3--while PM10 levels stand at 100.3 ug/m3. Under Nepal's government-approved AQI scale, readings above 200 indicate very unhealthy conditions. The Ministry of Health and Population urges residents to take precautions, warning that prolonged exposure to polluted air can damage the heart, blood vessels, lungs, eyes, and kidneys, and may contribute to illnesses including asthma, chronic bronchitis, cardiovascular disease, stroke, lung cancer, and other respiratory infections. Research shows that sustained exposure to high levels of particulate pollution significantly increases the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, particularly among children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing health conditions.

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#13439098

13 Mar 2026

A dense layer of smog engulfs the Kathmandu Valley in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 13, 2026. Air pollution intensifies across the bowl-shaped capital, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) fluctuating between 200 and 250, placing the city in the ''very unhealthy'' category and among the world's most polluted cities, according to data from the air quality monitoring platform IQAir's AirVisual. Measurements show fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at 129.9 micrograms per cubic meter--more than 25 times higher than the safe limit recommended by the World Health Organization--while PM10 levels reach 100.3 ug/m3. Nepal's national AQI scale classifies readings above 200 as very unhealthy and levels exceeding 300 as hazardous. The Ministry of Health and Population advises residents to take protective measures, noting that long-term exposure to polluted air can lead to serious health complications including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. Studies on air pollution also link prolonged exposure to increased risks of diabetes, reduced lung function, and premature death.

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#13418597

8 Mar 2026

Pedestrians wearing face masks walk across a bridge amid polluted smog in a general view of Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 8, 2026. According to the air quality monitoring website IQAir (AirVisual), the bowl-shaped capital ranks first among the world's most polluted cities, with air quality reaching hazardous levels for residents.

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#13418602

8 Mar 2026

Pedestrians wearing face masks walk across a bridge amid polluted smog in a general view of Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 8, 2026. According to the air quality monitoring website IQAir (AirVisual), the bowl-shaped capital ranks first among the world's most polluted cities, with air quality reaching hazardous levels for residents.

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#13418598

8 Mar 2026

An airplane flies through the hazy sky above a smog-covered Kathmandu Valley in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 8, 2026. According to the air quality monitoring website IQAir (AirVisual), the bowl-shaped capital ranks first among the world's most polluted cities, with air quality reaching hazardous levels for residents.

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