"Pollution monitoring"

#13439095

13 March 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 March 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 March 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 March 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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#13418602

8 March 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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#13418596

8 March 2026

A pedestrian wearing a face mask walks along a footpath as smog blankets 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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#13418597

8 March 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 March 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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#13418599

8 March 2026

Vehicles move along a busy road as smog hangs over Kathmandu city 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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#13418600

8 March 2026

Vehicles move along a busy road as smog hangs over Kathmandu city 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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#13418601

8 March 2026

Vehicles move along a busy road as smog hangs over Kathmandu city 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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#13417492

8 March 2026

A general view shows vehicles moving along a roadside under polluted haze in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 8, 2026. The Kathmandu Valley is shrouded in smog as air pollution levels rise in the bowl-shaped capital. According to the air quality monitoring website IQAir (AirVisual), Kathmandu ranks among the world's most polluted cities, with air quality reaching hazardous levels for residents.

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#13417501

8 March 2026

A general view shows vehicles moving along a roadside under polluted haze in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 8, 2026. The Kathmandu Valley is shrouded in smog as air pollution levels rise in the bowl-shaped capital. According to the air quality monitoring website IQAir (AirVisual), Kathmandu ranks among the world's most polluted cities, with air quality reaching hazardous levels for residents.

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#13417508

8 March 2026

A general view shows vehicles moving along a roadside under polluted haze in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 8, 2026. The Kathmandu Valley is shrouded in smog as air pollution levels rise in the bowl-shaped capital. According to the air quality monitoring website IQAir (AirVisual), Kathmandu ranks among the world's most polluted cities, with air quality reaching hazardous levels for residents.

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#13417510

8 March 2026

A general view shows vehicles moving along a roadside under polluted haze in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 8, 2026. The Kathmandu Valley is shrouded in smog as air pollution levels rise in the bowl-shaped capital. According to the air quality monitoring website IQAir (AirVisual), Kathmandu ranks among the world's most polluted cities, with air quality reaching hazardous levels for residents.

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#13417511

8 March 2026

A general view shows vehicles moving along a roadside under polluted haze in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 8, 2026. The Kathmandu Valley is shrouded in smog as air pollution levels rise in the bowl-shaped capital. According to the air quality monitoring website IQAir (AirVisual), Kathmandu ranks among the world's most polluted cities, with air quality reaching hazardous levels for residents.

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