Air pollution in the valley rises drastically

Air quality in the Kathmandu Valley has sharply deteriorated, with AQI levels surging into the “very unhealthy” range due to dry conditions, lack of rainfall, and rising pollution sources.

-the_farsight | April 23, 2026, 4:42 p.m.

Air pollution levels in the Kathmandu Valley are climbing once again. After improving with recent rainfall, air quality has rapidly worsened, reaching a “very unhealthy” category.

Data from the Air Quality Index (AQI) shows a sharp increase, from around 92 on Tuesday afternoon to 247 by 11:00 AM today. This level is considered “very unhealthy” and can negatively impact public health.

For Wednesday, AQI readings across major locations show continued poor air quality: Kathmandu recorded 198, Patan 197, Bhaktapur 185, Birendranagar 170, Kirtipur 159, and Pokhara 159. Most of these readings fall within the “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” categories.

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According to reports, the Department of Environment has attributed the rise in pollution to a lack of rainfall, increasing dryness, the burning of agricultural waste, and forest fires.

Likewise, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has predicted that there is little to no likelihood of significant rain over the next three days, and temperatures are expected to rise.

Without rain, dust and smoke remain suspended in the air, while rainfall would normally help clear these particles by bringing them down to the ground. Absence of rainfall means pollution levels may increase further.