"indicate"

#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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#13408910

6 March 2026

Personnel of the Armed Police Force Nepal stand guard at a vote counting center during the ballot counting process following the parliamentary elections in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 6, 2026. Preliminary figures indicate that voter turnout is around 60 percent as vote counting continues across the country.

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#13408813

6 March 2026

Election officials count ballots at a vote counting center in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 6, 2026, following the parliamentary elections held on March 5, 2026. Preliminary figures indicate that voter turnout is around 60 percent as vote counting continues across the country. The elections follow widespread youth-led protests that topple the government of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli after deadly demonstrations that leave more than 76 people dead and many injured.

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#13408814

6 March 2026

Election officials count ballots at a vote counting center in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 6, 2026, following the parliamentary elections held on March 5, 2026. Preliminary figures indicate that voter turnout is around 60 percent as vote counting continues across the country. The elections follow widespread youth-led protests that topple the government of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli after deadly demonstrations that leave more than 76 people dead and many injured.

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#13408816

6 March 2026

Election officials count ballots at a vote counting center in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 6, 2026, following the parliamentary elections held on March 5, 2026. Preliminary figures indicate that voter turnout is around 60 percent as vote counting continues across the country. The elections follow widespread youth-led protests that topple the government of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli after deadly demonstrations that leave more than 76 people dead and many injured.

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#13408817

6 March 2026

Election officials count ballots at a vote counting center in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 6, 2026, following the parliamentary elections held on March 5, 2026. Preliminary figures indicate that voter turnout is around 60 percent as vote counting continues across the country. The elections follow widespread youth-led protests that topple the government of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli after deadly demonstrations that leave more than 76 people dead and many injured.

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#13408818

6 March 2026

Election officials count ballots at a vote counting center in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 6, 2026, following the parliamentary elections held on March 5, 2026. Preliminary figures indicate that voter turnout is around 60 percent as vote counting continues across the country. The elections follow widespread youth-led protests that topple the government of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli after deadly demonstrations that leave more than 76 people dead and many injured.

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#13408819

6 March 2026

Election officials count ballots at a vote counting center in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 6, 2026, following the parliamentary elections held on March 5, 2026. Preliminary figures indicate that voter turnout is around 60 percent as vote counting continues across the country. The elections follow widespread youth-led protests that topple the government of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli after deadly demonstrations that leave more than 76 people dead and many injured.

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#13408820

6 March 2026

Election officials count ballots at a vote counting center in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 6, 2026, following the parliamentary elections held on March 5, 2026. Preliminary figures indicate that voter turnout is around 60 percent as vote counting continues across the country. The elections follow widespread youth-led protests that topple the government of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli after deadly demonstrations that leave more than 76 people dead and many injured.

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#13408821

6 March 2026

Election officials count ballots at a vote counting center in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 6, 2026, following the parliamentary elections held on March 5, 2026. Preliminary figures indicate that voter turnout is around 60 percent as vote counting continues across the country. The elections follow widespread youth-led protests that topple the government of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli after deadly demonstrations that leave more than 76 people dead and many injured.

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#13408822

6 March 2026

Voting papers are seen as election officials count votes at a vote counting center in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 6, 2026, following the parliamentary elections held on March 5, 2026. Preliminary figures indicate that voter turnout is around 60 percent as vote counting continues across the country.

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#13408823

6 March 2026

Election officials count ballots at a vote counting center in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 6, 2026, following the parliamentary elections held on March 5, 2026. Preliminary figures indicate that voter turnout is around 60 percent as vote counting continues across the country. The elections follow widespread youth-led protests that topple the government of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli after deadly demonstrations that leave more than 76 people dead and many injured.

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#13408824

6 March 2026

Election officials count ballots at a vote counting center in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 6, 2026, following the parliamentary elections held on March 5, 2026. Preliminary figures indicate that voter turnout is around 60 percent as vote counting continues across the country. The elections follow widespread youth-led protests that topple the government of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli after deadly demonstrations that leave more than 76 people dead and many injured.

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#13408825

6 March 2026

Voting papers are seen as election officials count votes at a vote counting center in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 6, 2026, following the parliamentary elections held on March 5, 2026. Preliminary figures indicate that voter turnout is around 60 percent as vote counting continues across the country.

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#13408826

6 March 2026

Election officials count ballots at a vote counting center in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 6, 2026, following the parliamentary elections held on March 5, 2026. Preliminary figures indicate that voter turnout is around 60 percent as vote counting continues across the country. The elections follow widespread youth-led protests that topple the government of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli after deadly demonstrations that leave more than 76 people dead and many injured.

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#13408827

6 March 2026

Voting papers are seen as election officials count votes at a vote counting center in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 6, 2026, following the parliamentary elections held on March 5, 2026. Preliminary figures indicate that voter turnout is around 60 percent as vote counting continues across the country.

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