City in Gandaki Province, Nepal
Air quality in Pokhara
Severely polluted
The annual average PM2.5 in Pokhara was 36.1 µg/m³ in 2020, about 7.2 times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³. Usually clean, but pre-monsoon haze in Mar–Apr can hide the mountains and irritate lungs.
Key facts
- PM2.5: 36.1 µg/m³ yearly average (2020). Measured at Pokhara.
- PM10: 44.8 µg/m³ (2020).
- Recent average: 33 µg/m³ over the last five years of measurements.
PM2.5 by year
| Year | Annual average |
|---|---|
| 2020 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2017 |
Air quality across Nepal
Quick answers
Is the air in Pokhara bad?
Severely polluted: 36.1 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average, 7.2× the WHO guideline.
When is the air worst in Pokhara?
Usually clean, but pre-monsoon haze in Mar–Apr can hide the mountains and irritate lungs.
How does Pokhara compare with the rest of Nepal?
People in Nepal breathe 53 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average (2023, World Bank/WHO), against 36.1 µg/m³ measured here.
More about Pokhara
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Sources
- WHO Ambient Air Quality Database
- WHO air quality guidelines (2021)
- Live air quality map (WAQI)
- Nepal Tourism Board
- Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal
- Buddha Air
Annual averages are measured values reported to the WHO; check a live map for today's air. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.