KATHMANDU: Air pollution in the Kathmandu Valley is decreasing. This afternoon, air pollution decreased, and the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 99.

Last Tuesday, the AQI of the valley had reached 191, while it dropped to 114 at the same time on Wednesday. According to the Department of Environment, air pollution has decreased as the wind speed increased.

According to the AQI, while Kathmandu was listed as the third most polluted city in the world on Tuesday, it has dropped to the 18th position today. Currently, Lahore, Pakistan, is in the first position with an AQI of 373, and Kolkata, India, is in the second position with an AQI of 186.

Director General of the Department of Environment, Gyanraj Subedi, informed that air pollution increases during the dry season and decreases when it rains or when the wind blows. “Rain helps to bring down the dust and particles in the air to the ground, and when the wind carries away the dust and pollution particles, pollution decreases,” he said. “We have suggested the relevant agencies effectively implement sustainable and environment-friendly development measures.”

Environmentalist Bhushan Tuladhar suggested that timely preparation, leaf litter management, wildfire control, smoke testing of vehicles, and strict implementation of standards are necessary.

According to AQI standards, 0 to 50 is good (green signal), 51 to 100 is moderate (yellow signal), and 101 to 150 falls under the unhealthy category, which experts say can particularly affect people with respiratory and heart diseases. Tuladhar stated that 151 to 200 is unhealthy for all, at least 201 to 300 is very unhealthy, and above 300 is considered hazardous.