Kathmandu. Air pollution has started increasing in the Kathmandu Valley. The air quality that was improving with the rainy season has suddenly dropped to the ‘very unhealthy’ level.

According to the Air Quality Index (AQI), the air quality index (AQI) has increased from around 92 on Tuesday afternoon to 247 as of 11 am on Thursday. This level falls in the ‘very unhealthy’ category and can affect the health of the public.

According to the AQI criteria, 0-50 is considered ‘good’, 51-100 ‘moderate’, 101-150 ‘unhealthy’, 151-200 ‘unhealthy’, 201-300 ‘very unhealthy’ and above 300 ‘very dangerous’. According to Gyan Raj Subedi, director general of the Department of Environment, lack of rain, increasing drought, tendency to burn agricultural residue and incidents of forest fires have played a major role in increasing air pollution. “At present, the drought is increasing instead of raining, it has helped to accumulate dust and smoke in the atmosphere,” he said, “If it rains, the particles in the air settle in the ground and the pollution decreases, but that is not the case now.” ‘

According to him, the bodies concerned have been urged to implement sustainable and environment-friendly development measures effectively.

Similarly, meteorologist Binu Maharjan of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said that there is no possibility of significant rainfall for the next three days and there are indications that the temperature will rise further. “The atmosphere cannot be clear when there is no rain, which is likely to increase the pollution further,” he said.

In particular, air pollution affects children, senior citizens, and respiratory and heart patients. It is advised not to go out except for essential reasons, wear masks and avoid dust and smoke.