"higher levels"

#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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#13365750

24 February 2026

People walk on snow-covered streets on the Upper West Side of Manhattan as blizzard conditions persist for a second day in New York City on February 23, 2026. Snow totals by Monday afternoon top 19 inches in New York City, and even higher in areas across the region.

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#13365754

24 February 2026

People walk on snow-covered streets on the Upper West Side of Manhattan as blizzard conditions persist for a second day in New York City on February 23, 2026. Snow totals by Monday afternoon top 19 inches in New York City, and even higher in areas across the region.

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#13365758

24 February 2026

People walk on snow-covered streets on the Upper West Side of Manhattan as blizzard conditions persist for a second day in New York City on February 23, 2026. Snow totals by Monday afternoon top 19 inches in New York City, and even higher in areas across the region.

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#13365761

24 February 2026

People walk on snow-covered streets on the Upper West Side of Manhattan as blizzard conditions persist for a second day in New York City on February 23, 2026. Snow totals by Monday afternoon top 19 inches in New York City, and even higher in areas across the region.

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#13365783

24 February 2026

A person walks on snow-covered streets on the Upper West Side of Manhattan as blizzard conditions persist for a second day in New York City, United States, on February 23, 2026. Snow totals by Monday afternoon top 19 inches in New York City, and even higher in areas across the region.

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#13366717

24 February 2026

People frolic in Times Square as blizzard conditions persist for a second day in New York City, United States, on February 23, 2026. Snow totals by Monday afternoon top 19 inches in New York City, and even higher in areas across the region.

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#13366718

24 February 2026

People frolic in Times Square as blizzard conditions persist for a second day in New York City, United States, on February 23, 2026. Snow totals by Monday afternoon top 19 inches in New York City, and even higher in areas across the region.

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#13224947

21 January 2026

An interactive board displaying PM10 dust level is seen in Krakow, Poland on January 21, 2026. For the second day an alert has been issued by the city authorities due to excessive PM10 levels and low air quality.

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#13224948

21 January 2026

An interactive board displaying PM10 dust level is seen in Krakow, Poland on January 21, 2026. For the second day an alert has been issued by the city authorities due to excessive PM10 levels and low air quality.

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#13219285

20 January 2026

Villagers evacuate to higher ground as floods hit Karangligar village in Karawang Regency, West Java Province, on January 19, 2026. Heavy rain occurring since January 17 causes the Citarum River to overflow and flood several areas in West Java.

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#13219286

20 January 2026

Villagers evacuate to higher ground as floods hit Karangligar village in Karawang Regency, West Java Province, on January 19, 2026. Heavy rain occurring since January 17 causes the Citarum River to overflow and flood several areas in West Java.

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#13219287

20 January 2026

Villagers evacuate to higher ground as floods hit Karangligar village in Karawang Regency, West Java Province, on January 19, 2026. Heavy rain occurring since January 17 causes the Citarum River to overflow and flood several areas in West Java.

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