KATHMANDU, Aug 4: The continuous rainfall has significantly improved the air quality in the Kathmandu Valley.
According to the Department of Environment’ records over the past 24 hours, various locations in the valley reported Air Quality Index (AQI) levels below 20, indicating a drastic reduction in air pollution.
Vehicular movement on Araniko Highway halted again
Ratnapark recorded the lowest AQI at 5, followed by Bhaktapur at 8, Khumaltar at 9, and Shankhpark at 18. Outside the valley, Nepalgunj reported an AQI of 4, the lowest in the country.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies air with an AQI below 50 as healthy. Air quality deteriorates as the AQI rises, with higher values indicating more harmful pollution levels.
The AQI measures unseen pollutants and PM 2.5 levels, which include particles smaller than 2.5 microns, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. During the dry months from February to April, Kathmandu's AQI frequently reached as high as 300.
