Valley sky choked by haze, ranks third most polluted city

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 7: For the next three days, the skies over the Kathmandu Valley will remain gloomy due to a low-pressure system in the lower atmosphere affecting areas eastward from the Gandaki Province.

Similarly, a high pressure system in the upper atmosphere over the western part of the country will also influence weather conditions in several districts of the western region, a meteorologist said.

David Dhakal, a meteorologist at the Meteorological Forecasting Division under the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), said the weather conditions are likely to remain similar to Friday’s for the next three days due to the influence of moisture-laden air developing over the Bay of Bengal.

The hazy skies over the Valley are not only due to the low- and high-pressure systems but also because of the accumulation of pollutant particles in the atmosphere.

On Friday afternoon, Kathmandu has been ranked the third most polluted city in the world with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 185, after Lahore in Pakistan and Dhaka in Bangladesh.

The air quality improved slightly in the evening, with the AQI dropping to 145 around 4:30 pm on Friday. However, many areas within the Valley recorded levels above 160, with Jawalakhel registering the highest at 191 during the same period.

Environment Specialist Dr. Bhupendra Das said that on Friday, Kathmandu ranked the world’s 3rd most polluted city. Air quality is deteriorating across Nepal, creating a serious threat to both public health and the climate, with visibility now severely reduced.

“This challenge also presents a strong opportunity for the new government to take decisive action and we are positive and ready to support these efforts,” he said.

As a result of a concerning deterioration in air quality, Kathmandu Valley and other parts of the country are currently among the most polluted places in the world. Thick haze is making it harder to see in our towns and valleys as well as affecting the flight industry, and the climate and public health are seriously threatened by this worsening pollution.

However, this crisis also presents a significant chance for the new government to act decisively and boldly. With hope and dedication, we are prepared to offer intellectual assistance and work together to restore clean air and safeguard the country’s future, Dr. Das said.

According to meteorologist Dhakal, the hazy conditions remain more pronounced in the morning and afternoon, with the situation expected to improve slightly in the evening. There is a possibility of light rainfall in a few areas of Kathmandu on Saturday and Sunday, and snowfall in some high-mountainous areas, he added.