Air pollution in Kathmandu Valley has surged to unhealthy levels today, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 175 by midday. The city now ranks as the seventh most polluted globally, raising alarms over public health and the urgent need for environmental measures. Cairo in Egypt recorded the highest pollution globally, with an AQI of 273. Gyanraj Subedi, Director General of the Department of Environment, said that the rise in pollution is due to dry weather, lack of wind, industrial operations, and rapid construction and development. He added that smoke and dust from industrial activities, cross-border pollution, and emissions from neighboring India have also contributed.
