Living hell

Time has come to declare a health emergency and take every possible step to control air pollution.

Kathmanduities have of late been inhaling hazardous air, as thick smog has enveloped the city. The ever-visible Dharahara Tower is now obscured, and even nearby hills, buildings, runways and roads are difficult to locate. Earlier this week, the air quality plummeted to a “very unhealthy” level, and since Tuesday, the city has topped the list of IQAir ranking —a Swiss air quality technology company—for having the most polluted air in the world. As of Thursday evening, the AQI of Kathmandu was above 300, and PM2.5 concentration was 45.5 times worse than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) PM2.5 recommended level. Other parts of the country are also suffocating.