As temperature plunges, denizens face cold and pollution

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 14: The minimum temperature in Kathmandu plunged to 3.1 degrees Celsius on Friday, marking one of the coldest days of the season. 

The high mountains surrounding the Kathmandu Valley have brightened with fresh snowfall, creating picturesque views. As the sky becomes clearer with the snowcapped mountains becoming visible from the valley, the denizens begin to feel colder and bundle up in warm clothes to avoid the biting cold.  

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has predicted a further decline in temperature as the peak of the winter season is approaching. 

In the Kathmandu Valley, the temperature on December 12 was recorded at 3.9 degrees Celsius, a drop from 4 degrees on December 11 and 5 degrees on December 10, according to meteorologist Raju Pradhananga from the DHM.

He said that the western trough system, which passed through the country a few days ago, brought moisture, resulting in snowfall in the mountainous areas of Bagmati Province.

On Friday, the minimum temperature in Jumla was recorded at minus 7.0 degrees Celsius while Jomsom’s temperature dropped to 0.5 degrees Celsius and Jiri’s minus 2.4 degrees Celsius.

This significant drop in temperature has compelled residents across the country including Kathmandu Valley and the Tarai region to take various measures to stay warm. In many households, electric heaters and other indoor heating devices have become essential to combat the biting cold. 

Meantime, more denizens could be seen making fires in the open to keep themselves warm. This practice, although provides immediate relief, raises concerns about air quality and environmental health, which are already pressing issues in urban areas like Kathmandu.

The Kathmandu Valley has been experiencing an unhealthy Air Quality Index (PM2.5) for the past few weeks. With the rise in open burning, pollution levels are likely to worsen this dry season. 

To address this issue and minimise air pollution, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City has initiated efforts to generate awareness at the local level, encouraging communities to refrain from making fires in the open, said Sarita Rai, Chief of the Environment Division under the KMC.

According to Rai, individuals caught engaging in open burning will face an on-the-spot fine of Rs. 10,000. To enforce this regulation and discourage the practice, metropolitan police will be deployed to monitor activities and impose penalties where necessary, she said. The KMC has also started testing the vehicle emissions. 

In a bid to control the pollution level, KMC also started installing air quality monitoring devices at 18 locations across the city, and the task will be completed within mid-December, she added.

As part of this initiative, KMC has declared the month of Poush (December/January) as “Air Pollution Awareness Month” to genertae awareness about air pollution control measures and discourage open burning, which exacerbates pollution during the peak winter season.

“We are going to provide training to the chiefs of sweepers across the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) from December 16 to December 19, 2024, to raise awareness about air pollution,” Rai said. “Additionally, training sessions will be conducted for workers at the landfill site to ensure better practices and reduce pollution levels,” she added.