Kathmandu rivers turn into open sewers as pollution worsens

A recent assessment reveals that vital water systems in the Kathmandu Valley suffer from severe pollution as they traverse urban sectors. Untreated sewage and various forms of waste have rendered segments of the Bagmati, Bishnumati, Dhobikhola, Nakhu Khola, Tukucha and Hanumante rivers comparable to open drainage channels. The River Water Quality Analysis Report for August 2026, compiled by the High-Powered Committee for Integrated Development of the Bagmati Civilization, documents how water purity drops significantly downstream from the origins of these waterways due to chemical pollutants, organic refuse and domestic sewage entering the streams. While the upper stretches maintain healthier ecological markers, conditions worsen rapidly upon entering populated zones. At Sundarijal, the Bagmati exhibits higher levels of dissolved oxygen alongside reduced turbidity and minimal presence of faecal coliform bacteria, reflecting cleaner conditions near the source. However, as the river courses through inhabited territory, contamination from human and animal waste increases dramatically. The documented conditions across all six river basins highlight a widespread municipal pollution challenge. Officials note that water degradation intensifies consistently as the streams move past residential and commercial settlements, where direct discharge of wastewater compromises overall river health.