KATHMANDU, June 6: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) launched the 'Kathmandu Metropolitan Air Quality Monitoring Dashboard' to provide real-time data from air pollution measuring devices installed across its jurisdiction.
The KMC unveiled the dashboard on Thursday to mark World Environment Day. Sita Rai, Chief of KMC's Environment Management Department, said the dashboard displays real-time PM2.5 levels and the Air Quality Index (AQI) from 18 monitoring stations at various locations within the metropolitan area.
This initiative enables people to check the current air quality status at multiple locations and marks a significant step in KMC's ongoing efforts to build a healthier city, Rai added.
The dashboard uses six colors to indicate air quality status: green signals good air quality; yellow indicates moderate conditions; orange warns children, the elderly, and individuals with lung or heart conditions to take precautions; and red shows unhealthy air quality for everyone, especially sensitive groups.
Purple indicates very unhealthy air that can seriously affect everyone's health, while dark brown represents hazardous conditions, posing severe health risks, particularly to those with pre-existing health issues.
Dipakkumar KC, Chief of KMC's Health Department, said, "We will use the dashboard data to develop policies, allocate budgets, and design programs to address urban public health challenges."
The city will also install color-coded health advisory boards and display public awareness videos about air pollution on the dashboard. It will provide updates on vehicle emission testing progress.
KMC has installed air pollution monitoring devices at several key locations, including Chhetrapati Hospital, Lainchaur, Kalanki Chowk, Balaju Baisdhara Park, Paropakar Maternity and Women's Hospital, Thapathali, and the Regional Office of the Metropolitan Police at New Bus Park.