Kathmandu, March 13
Air pollution that blanketed major cities, including the Kathmandu Valley, over the past few days has begun to decline gradually. The air quality index had reached 178 till Thursday afternoon, and it has decreased to 149 this afternoon. Kathmandu was recorded second most polluted city in the world till Thursday afternoon. Now, it is ranked in 12th place this afternoon.
Director General of the Department of Environment, Gyan Raj Subedi, said air pollution has reduced today due to the rainfall that occurred on Thursday. “We have suggested to the bodies concerned to implement the measures of sustainable and environment-friendly development effectively,” he mentioned. Environment expert Bhushan Tuladhar suggested the need for timely preparedness, management of leaf litter, forest fire control and strict implementation of vehicle emission tests and standards.
Similarly, Meteorologist at the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Sanjeev Adhikari, said the weather has improved from Thursday, and rainfall on Thursday also helped to reduce air pollution.
Adhikari added that the Weather and Hydrological Measuring Office located at Narayani Basin Field Office, Chitwan, of Bagmati Province recorded the highest 126.2 millimetre rainfall in the last 24 hours, 102.2 millimetre rain at Lamjung Gharedhunga Centre of Gandaki Province and 90 millimetre rain at Barpak Centre of Gorkha.
Likewise, 98.4 millimeter rain was recorded at Katari of Udayapur and 96.4 millimeter rain at Chandragadhi Airport Centre of Jhapa. An AQI value between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 as moderate, 101 and 150 as unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151 and 200 as unhealthy, 201 and 300 as very unhealthy and above 300 as hazardous.
