Kathmandu Tops The List of Cities With ‘unhealthy air’ in the World

The Ministry of Health and Population of Nepal has urged residents to wear masks due to the alarming increase in air pollution levels in the Kathmandu valley. According to IQAir, an organization that measures real-time pollution in 101 cities worldwide, Kathmandu has been ranked as the most polluted city globally.

Pollution Rankings

• Kathmandu tops the list of cities with ‘unhealthy air’ in the world.
• New Delhi, Chiang Mai (Thailand), Hanoi (Vietnam), Bangkok (Thailand), and Dhaka (Bangladesh) follow in the ranking for most polluted cities.

Health Advisory

The Ministry has advised the public to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities, refrain from traveling, and stay away from highly polluted areas. The high levels of air pollutants in Kathmandu pose significant health risks.

Impact on Health

Air pollution can have severe consequences, affecting the heart, blood vessels, lungs, brain, eyes, nose, ears, and throat. It also increases the risk of asthma, cancer, and other diseases. Children under five, pregnant women, chronically ill individuals, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable, accounting for a high number of annual deaths due to air pollution in Nepal.

Alarmingly, air pollution has reduced the average life expectancy of Nepalese by 4.1%.

Summer Heat Advisory

With the possibility of heatwaves in the Terai region during summer, the Ministry has also requested people to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities during the day, stay hydrated by drinking more water, and consume liquid foods.

Increased Hospital Admissions

According to the Ministry of Health and Population, the number of patients admitted to hospitals and health facilities across the country has increased due to the growing summer heat and pollution.

As the air quality crisis deepens in Kathmandu, authorities are urging residents to take necessary precautions and follow advisories to safeguard their health and well-being.