Kathmandu Valley's air quality reaches 'unhealthy level'

Kathmandu, Feb 8: Air quality of Kathmandu Valley has worsened on Sunday and reached 'unhealthy level'.     

As per the Air Quality Index (AQI), air pollution level of the Kathmandu Valley has reached unhealthy level with 175 this afternoon.     

Kathmandu ranked the seventh among the most polluted cities in the world today. Cairo has been listed in the top rank of the most polluted cities during the period with 273 AQI.     

Director General of the Department of Environment, Gyan Raj Subedi, shared that dry weather, operation of factories and industries and speedy development construction are reasons behind the air pollution, adding there is possibility of more air pollution until rainfall occurs.     

Bodies concerned have been suggested to lay emphasis on environment-friendly development, he underlined.     

Disaster Management Expert Dr Dharma Raj Upreti said air quality from 0-50 AQI (green sign) is categorized good while 51-100 AQI (yellow signal) moderate, 101-150 AQI unhealthy for sensitive group, 151-200 AQI unhealthy, 201-300 AQI very unhealthy and above 301 AQI hazardous.     

As per the Air Quality Management Procedure, 2076 for Kathmandu Valley, the government has made provision to consider a situation where AQI exceeds above 300 as a disaster. (RSS)