"safe 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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#12926253

30 October 2025

A cyclist pedals through the roads of Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 30, 2025, wearing a raincoat as rain batters the national capital under the influence of the weather effect created by Cyclone Montha of India. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology issues an alert for 26 districts of three provinces as heavy snow and rain continue to batter the Himalayan nation under the influence of Cyclone Montha. Authorities warn of rising water levels and possible flooding in several rivers. The impact of the cyclone is likely to persist until Saturday, and residents living near riverbanks are urged to remain alert. Montha causes heavy rain in various parts of India. Schools shut down, train and road transport are affected, and authorities relocate vulnerable populations to safe zones in the coastal areas. Cyclone Montha, which originates in the Bay of Bengal and makes landfall in India's Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday night, affects Nepal from Thursday.

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#12926254

30 October 2025

A Nepali motorcyclist drives through the roads of Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 30, 2025, wearing a raincoat as rain batters the national capital under the influence of the weather effect created by Cyclone Montha of India. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology issues an alert for 26 districts of three provinces as heavy snow and rain continue to batter the Himalayan nation under the influence of Cyclone Montha. Authorities warn of rising water levels and possible flooding in several rivers. The impact of the cyclone is likely to persist until Saturday, and residents living near riverbanks are urged to remain alert. Montha causes heavy rain in various parts of India. Schools shut down, train and road transport are affected, and authorities relocate vulnerable populations to safe zones in the coastal areas. Cyclone Montha, which originates in the Bay of Bengal and makes landfall in India's Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday night, affects Nepal from Thursday.

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#12926255

30 October 2025

Heavy rain batters Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 30, 2025, as the weather pattern is influenced by Cyclone Montha from India. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology issues an alert for 26 districts across three provinces as heavy snow and rain continue to affect the Himalayan nation under the influence of Cyclone Montha. Authorities warn of rising water levels and possible flooding in several rivers. The impact of the cyclone is likely to persist until Saturday, and residents living near riverbanks are urged to remain alert. Montha causes heavy rain in various parts of India. Schools are shut down, train and road transport are affected, and authorities are relocating vulnerable populations to safe zones in the coastal areas. Cyclone Montha, which originates in the Bay of Bengal and makes landfall in Andhra Pradesh, India, on Tuesday night, affects Nepal from Thursday.

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#12926256

30 October 2025

A cyclist pedals through the roads of Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 30, 2025, wearing a raincoat as rain batters the national capital under the influence of the weather effect created by Cyclone Montha of India. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology issues an alert for 26 districts of three provinces as heavy snow and rain continue to batter the Himalayan nation under the influence of Cyclone Montha. Authorities warn of rising water levels and possible flooding in several rivers. The impact of the cyclone is likely to persist until Saturday, and residents living near riverbanks are urged to remain alert. Montha causes heavy rain in various parts of India. Schools shut down, train and road transport are affected, and authorities relocate vulnerable populations to safe zones in the coastal areas. Cyclone Montha, which originates in the Bay of Bengal and makes landfall in India's Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday night, affects Nepal from Thursday.

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#12926257

30 October 2025

A Nepali motorcyclist drives through the roads of Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 30, 2025, wearing a raincoat as rain batters the national capital under the influence of the weather effect created by Cyclone Montha of India. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology issues an alert for 26 districts of three provinces as heavy snow and rain continue to batter the Himalayan nation under the influence of Cyclone Montha. Authorities warn of rising water levels and possible flooding in several rivers. The impact of the cyclone is likely to persist until Saturday, and residents living near riverbanks are urged to remain alert. Montha causes heavy rain in various parts of India. Schools shut down, train and road transport are affected, and authorities relocate vulnerable populations to safe zones in the coastal areas. Cyclone Montha, which originates in the Bay of Bengal and makes landfall in India's Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday night, affects Nepal from Thursday.

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#12926258

30 October 2025

Traffic snarls over a section of a major highway in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 30, 2025, following heavy rain as the weather pattern is influenced by Cyclone Montha from India. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology issues an alert for 26 districts of three provinces as heavy snow and rain continue to batter the Himalayan nation under the influence of Cyclone Montha. Authorities warn of rising water levels and possible flooding in several rivers. The impact of the cyclone is likely to persist until Saturday, and residents living near riverbanks are urged to remain alert. Montha causes heavy rain in various parts of India. Schools are shut down, train and road transport are affected, and authorities are relocating vulnerable populations to safe zones in the coastal areas. Cyclone Montha, which originates in the Bay of Bengal and makes landfall in Andhra Pradesh, India, on Tuesday night, affects Nepal from Thursday.

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#12926259

30 October 2025

Rain batters a section of road in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 30, 2025, as the weather pattern is influenced by Cyclone Montha from India. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology issues an alert for 26 districts of three provinces as heavy snow and rain continue to batter the Himalayan nation under the influence of Cyclone Montha. Authorities warn of rising water levels and possible flooding in several rivers. The impact of the cyclone is likely to persist until Saturday, and residents living near riverbanks are urged to remain alert. Montha causes heavy rain in various parts of India. Schools are shut down, train and road transport is affected, and authorities relocate vulnerable populations to safe zones in the coastal areas. Cyclone Montha, which originates in the Bay of Bengal and makes landfall in India's Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday night, affects Nepal from Thursday.

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#12926260

30 October 2025

Heavy rain batters Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 30, 2025, as the weather pattern is influenced by Cyclone Montha from India. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology issues an alert for 26 districts across three provinces as heavy snow and rain continue to affect the Himalayan nation under the influence of Cyclone Montha. Authorities warn of rising water levels and possible flooding in several rivers. The impact of the cyclone is likely to persist until Saturday, and residents living near riverbanks are urged to remain alert. Montha causes heavy rain in various parts of India. Schools are shut down, train and road transport are affected, and authorities are relocating vulnerable populations to safe zones in the coastal areas. Cyclone Montha, which originates in the Bay of Bengal and makes landfall in Andhra Pradesh, India, on Tuesday night, affects Nepal from Thursday.

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#12926261

30 October 2025

Heavy rain batters Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 30, 2025, as the weather pattern is influenced by Cyclone Montha from India. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology issues an alert for 26 districts across three provinces as heavy snow and rain continue to affect the Himalayan nation under the influence of Cyclone Montha. Authorities warn of rising water levels and possible flooding in several rivers. The impact of the cyclone is likely to persist until Saturday, and residents living near riverbanks are urged to remain alert. Montha causes heavy rain in various parts of India. Schools are shut down, train and road transport are affected, and authorities are relocating vulnerable populations to safe zones in the coastal areas. Cyclone Montha, which originates in the Bay of Bengal and makes landfall in Andhra Pradesh, India, on Tuesday night, affects Nepal from Thursday.

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#12926262

30 October 2025

Heavy rain batters Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 30, 2025, as the weather pattern is influenced by Cyclone Montha from India. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology issues an alert for 26 districts across three provinces as heavy snow and rain continue to affect the Himalayan nation under the influence of Cyclone Montha. Authorities warn of rising water levels and possible flooding in several rivers. The impact of the cyclone is likely to persist until Saturday, and residents living near riverbanks are urged to remain alert. Montha causes heavy rain in various parts of India. Schools are shut down, train and road transport are affected, and authorities are relocating vulnerable populations to safe zones in the coastal areas. Cyclone Montha, which originates in the Bay of Bengal and makes landfall in Andhra Pradesh, India, on Tuesday night, affects Nepal from Thursday.

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#12926263

30 October 2025

Heavy rain batters Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 30, 2025, as the weather pattern is influenced by Cyclone Montha from India. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology issues an alert for 26 districts across three provinces as heavy snow and rain continue to affect the Himalayan nation under the influence of Cyclone Montha. Authorities warn of rising water levels and possible flooding in several rivers. The impact of the cyclone is likely to persist until Saturday, and residents living near riverbanks are urged to remain alert. Montha causes heavy rain in various parts of India. Schools are shut down, train and road transport are affected, and authorities are relocating vulnerable populations to safe zones in the coastal areas. Cyclone Montha, which originates in the Bay of Bengal and makes landfall in Andhra Pradesh, India, on Tuesday night, affects Nepal from Thursday.

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#12926264

30 October 2025

Heavy rain batters Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 30, 2025, as the weather pattern is influenced by Cyclone Montha from India. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology issues an alert for 26 districts across three provinces as heavy snow and rain continue to affect the Himalayan nation under the influence of Cyclone Montha. Authorities warn of rising water levels and possible flooding in several rivers. The impact of the cyclone is likely to persist until Saturday, and residents living near riverbanks are urged to remain alert. Montha causes heavy rain in various parts of India. Schools are shut down, train and road transport are affected, and authorities are relocating vulnerable populations to safe zones in the coastal areas. Cyclone Montha, which originates in the Bay of Bengal and makes landfall in Andhra Pradesh, India, on Tuesday night, affects Nepal from Thursday.

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