Kathmandu Tops Global Air Pollution Ranking with AQI Surging to 265, Blamed on Widespread Forest Fires

Air pollution in the country has surged to its highest level of the year today, attributed primarily to rampant forest fires occurring in various regions. Kathmandu, the federal capital, recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 265, placing it at the top of the global list of the most polluted cities. This marked a significant increase from the AQI of 200 recorded on Tuesday.

Environmentalists and meteorologists have expressed grave concern over the escalating air pollution, citing the ongoing bushfires across the nation as a major contributing factor. Tara Dutta Bhatta, Deputy Director-General at the Department of Environment, highlighted the urgent need for coordinated efforts among stakeholders to combat the spread of forest fires and mitigate the resulting pollution.

"The pollution levels are escalating steadily. If the AQI reaches 300, it is imperative for the state to declare a state of emergency," emphasized Bhatta, underlining the severity of the situation and the necessity for decisive action to address the pressing environmental crisis.