Is the air quality good in Kathmandu?
On October 29, 2025, at 5:15 AM PT, Kathmandu, Nepal, is experiencing poor air quality due to urban emissions and weather conditions. The AQI is 147, classified as "unhealthy for sensitive groups," with PM2.5 concentrations dominating.
These conditions can cause respiratory issues, worsen heart problems, and impair lung function, especially for children, the elderly, and those with health vulnerabilities.
Air quality is dynamic and, like the weather, can change frequently. Kathmandu ranked 5th among the most polluted major cities in the world on Wednesday morning.
Click here for a real-time air quality map of Kathmandu.
While the air quality conditions today are unusually poor, it’s worth noting that Kathmandu’s 2024 average PM2.5 concentration was 45.1 µg/m³, equivalent to an AQI of 124 (“Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups”), about 9 times higher than the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³.
Kathmandu, Nepal ranked as the 5th most polluted major city on Oct 29, 2025. Source: IQAir.
When will air quality improve in Kathmandu?
Forecasts noted that air quality may remain bad throughout today. Short term relief can occur with rainfall or strong winds that disperse smoke and particulates. (1)
Hourly air quality forecast for Kathmandu, Nepal on Oct 29, 2025. Source: IQAir.
However persistent factors such as the valley topography that traps pollution and ongoing emission sources mean cleaner days will be episodic unless emissions are reduced at source.
Air quality map of Kathmandu, Nepal on Oct 29, 2025. Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Kathmandu?
The deterioration is multi source and overlapping. Major contributors include:
- Local urban emissions from vehicles and construction dust.
- Industrial emissions and brick kilns.
- Biomass and household solid fuel burning.
- Seasonal open burning and nearby forest fires that transport smoke into the valley.
- Geography driven trapping of pollutants in the bowl shaped Kathmandu Valley and transboundary pollution from the surrounding Indo Gangetic plains. (2)
Health authorities and disaster agencies point to forest fires and seasonal burning as important short term drivers while traffic and household fuels are persistent long term sources. (3)
How can I protect myself from poor air quality?
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.
