May 12: Air pollution has started to go up again across the country due to lack of rainfall and growing incidents of forest fire. According to the latest Air Quality Index (AQI), the AQI at Patan, Lalitpur is 176 and it is 163 at Kirtipur, 163 at Ratnapark in Kathmandu, 171 at Narayani and 155 at Dhankuta.    
AQI from 0 to 50 is considered normal and above 150 is hazardous. The AQI in Patan, Kirtipur, Ratnapark, Narayani and Dhankuta is above 150.    
Health experts have advised wearing mask while going out of the house as air pollution is likely to harm the health.    
Meteorologist Govinda Jha said haze is seen at many places including in the Kathmandu Valley since the morning due to the increased air pollution. According to him, air pollution is likely to further increase as there is no immediate likelihood of rainfall.    
It is said the air in Bhaktpaur, Madhyapur Thimi and Birendranagar is at risk of pollution. The AQI at these places is less than 150. Experts say that people suffering from chronic diseases, children and the elderly people are at risk.    
Vehicle emission is also another cause for the increasing level of air pollution. --