Weather expected to improve from today

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 12: Kathmandu has remained among the most polluted cities for the past two weeks. On Wednesday, it again ranked as the third most polluted city across the world, after Kolkata in India and Dhaka in Bangladesh.

The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 164 on Wednesday, which is considered unhealthy. According to city-level measurements, Kupondole recorded the highest pollution level in the Valley, reaching 173 AQI, with PM2.5 concentration at 86.9 µg/m³.

Locals living in the core city area of Kathmandu have also complained that their eyes started burning from early morning. 

On Thursday morning, Police Headquarters also issued a public notice saying the air pollution level has increased alarmingly in Kathmandu and other major cities and made a public request for adoption of necessary precautions.

Central Spokesperson of Nepal Police and Deputy Inspector General of Police, Abi Narayan Kafle in a public notice requested public for special attention to personal health protection and to exercise caution due to increased pollution.

According to him, the Nepal Police has issued a six-point request to the citizens, asking them to stay at home and not to go outside unless necessary.

He also said that they have requested to use vehicles less by travelling together in groups or giving each other a 'lift', not to burn garbage around one's house, and to avoid outdoor activities when air pollution levels are high.

The police have requested that especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems take extra precautions as well as mandatory use of regular masks. Spokesperson Kafle also stated that if any respiratory problems arise, people should contact the nearest hospital, health centre, or doctor immediately.

Similarly, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) issued a special weather bulletin for haze that stuck the skies across the country for the past two weeks.

In its bulletin, the DHM said due to the persistence of a high-pressure weather system in the upper atmosphere of Nepal, the western low-pressure system has not been able to become active. At the same time, low-pressure activity in the lower atmosphere has not increased. As a result, there has been insufficient rainfall and pollutants have remained trapped in the lower layers of the atmosphere.

Because of this situation, many parts of the country have been affected by hazy conditions for the past several days.

Barun Paudel, a senior meteorologist at the Meteorological Forecasting Division, said the current weather conditions are likely to improve from Thursday, although it may take a few more days for the skies to clear completely.

According to him, the situation has worsened due to local pollution and forest fires. Winds and rainfall are expected to gradually disperse the lingering pollution. “There is likely to be light rainfall on Thursday, which may slightly reduce air pollution, and the skies are expected to clear from Sunday,” he added.

From Thursday, atmospheric activity is expected to gradually increase. There is also a possibility of brief rainfall in some places across the country, which may lead to a gradual improvement in the current weather conditions, the DHM said.

DHM also advised people to take necessary precautions to protect their health from the possible impacts of the haze.

The public is also requested to follow the updated weather information regularly. For further details regarding the weather, people are advised to contact the Division.