Bagmati, Vishnumati and other rivers severely polluted after entering Kathmandu Valley: report

A report states that the major rivers of Kathmandu Valley become severely polluted as they pass through urban areas.

The Bagmati Civilization Integrated Development High-Level Committee has prepared a river water quality analysis report for August 2026.

According to the report, untreated sewage and waste mixing into the rivers has made some stretches of the Bagmati, Vishnumati, Dhobikhola, Nakkhukhola, Tukucha and Hanumante rivers look like open drains.

The committee said that as the rivers flow downstream from their source, sewage, organic waste and chemical pollutants mix in, sharply degrading water quality.

The Bagmati's water is comparatively clean near its source area, Sundarijal. However, by the time it reaches Gokarna, the report notes, the river has become heavily polluted due to sewage discharged directly into it.