Kathmandu - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
I'm not going to sugar coat it, the air quality in the winters is bad and getting worse. Over this past winter I developed a persistent cough that would magically go away anytime I was outside of Nepal. While this is a problem that used to be limited just to the Kathmandu Valley, the pollution is now present in Pokhara and seems to be spreading to other cities as well. This would be a very bad post for anyone with respiratory issues, and respiratory issues may even develop while at Post for people who never had problems before. - Jun 2024
Air quality is bad. It is the worst from mid-November to May. There are many red days during this time. During monsoon season it improves much more, most days are green or orange and the skies are blue! It is great! Luckily, I have air purifiers at my work and home that we run 24/7. You can also seal cracks and cover windows to prevent poor air from getting inside your home. You learn to live with it and mitigate it as much as you can. Since we are only living here 2-3 years, we are fine. I think living here long term would give you more symptoms. Our family didn't have any issues when the air was bad. - Aug 2022
The air here is ok in monsoon, but any other time, it's about the same or worse than New Deli, or Bejing back in the early 2000s. I underestimated how bad it could be. In the dry season, you can only see 100 feet ahead of you sometimes. Bring and wear a good mask, don't exercise outside, limit walking, and do your research! I would not have brought my kids here if I had known. - Aug 2019
Terrible in the winter. Not bad during monsoon season as the rain washes away most of the pollution, but it's not a clean place by any means. - Aug 2015
Bad and getting worse. One of the worst things about Kathmandu. Do not expect that you will be able to go for a pleasant jog in the morning, unless you live out on the edge of town (which has its own disadvantages). - Jul 2014
Bad. A lot of people have trouble with it. That said, I don't find it as bad as the previous reviewer, and have not had a problem with upper respiratory issues except when my neighbors burn trash, and that's temporary. Neither has my husband or either of my kids. However, it is ranked the second worst in South Asia. I think it is mostly particulates of PM10 or larger, not the really deadly PM2.5 stuff that you find in New Delhi or Beijing, but that's just my theory, there is no air quality monitoring working in the city, so it's hard to say. I've seen pictures of Beijing and New Delhi that were far worse than anything you get here. - May 2014
Horrible. The air quality is prohibitive. If you think you will be waking up and seeing the mountains while you are drinking coffee, relishing in the beauty of the Himalayas, you will be very disappointed. This is the worst air pollution I have ever seen in my life. I am constantly sick, even my cat almost died from the air pollution. - Apr 2014
The air quality is very bad. It is dusty and smokey during the Winter months (December-February). If you have asthma or allergies this may not be the place for you. That said, I run outside on a regular basis. I think you get used to it, but it's not fun. - Dec 2013
Very unhealthy. I'm sure many people think their city's air is polluted, a common theme in many places right now. . . . . However, I can say this has been the worst air quality I've ever experienced, and I've traveled in Asia, the Middle East, and South America. There is dust from all the road work the city is doing, pollution from diesel buses, and the smoke/smell/cloud of burning trash is almost always around. I'd recommend going almost anywhere other than Kathmandu if you have any respiratory issues. However, the air outside the city is fine - so if you don't plan on spending a lot of time in Kathmandu - no worries. - Jun 2013
Air quality is my one true complaint about Kathmandu. Get out of town on weekends between February and April when the air is the worst. - May 2013
Very, very poor. The air quality is terrible and one of the worst I have ever experienced. Although I do not have small children, I would think twice before bringing small children here due to the terrible air quality. - Jun 2011
Dusty and polluted like Los Angeles. Monsoon season is ok, but breathing masks are advisable for city life in the winter (Nov-March) - Sep 2010
