With rise in temperature and the impact of local atmospheric pressure developed in the central and western Nepal, the Kathmandu Valley and most of the hilly regions witnessed a clear sky that had remained hazy for the last three days.
Senior Meteorologist Min Kumar Aryal said that the Kathmandu Valley on Thursday witnessed a windy condition which upped the temperature. “When the maximum temperature in pre-monsoon season increases, strong wind starts blowing, creating a chance of light thunder showers in the evening,” Aryal said.
Because of the local phenomena and the impact of westerly wind, the Kathmandu Valley and most of the hilly regions in Gandaki and Sudurpaschim Provinces will start receiving light thunder showers from Thursday evening, said Aryal.
According to him, some hilly regions in Province No. 1 are likely to see cloudy weather and light rains in the evening from Thursday. “When we have light rains and windy conditions, the present smog accumulated in the sky of the Kathmandu Valley and other parts of the country will start vanishing automatically,” said Aryal.
This pre-monsoon rain will douse forest fire in many parts of the country, helping in maintaining low air
pollution.
Meanwhile, air quality index (AQI) of Kathmandu Valley improved on Thursday due to the windy conditions. Its AQI, which hovered at 350-400 range, has now dropped to 180 -200, which is still considered unhealthy. According to the AQI record as measured by pollution.gov.np, the highest pollution was measured in Dhangadhi with 369 AQI this afternoon. AQI station of Ratna Park in Kathmandu recorded 202 on Thursday morning which came down to 180 in the afternoon.
Similarly, Bhainsepati station recorded 180, Bhaktapur 119, Pulchowk 160, Maharajgunj 152, Phora Durbar 152 and Bharatpur 193.
Meanwhile, due to inclement weather, domestic flights from Tribhuvan International Airport have been affected for the last four days.
According to the airport office, domestic flights have been disrupted because of thick haze accumulated in the atmosphere. Flights destined mainly to Pokhara, Janakpur and Simara and Dhangadhi were cancelled this week due to low visibility, according to TIA General Manager Pratap Babu Tiwari.
He said that a total of 113 total domestic flights had been cancelled in the last three days.
Kathmandu’s sky has now become relatively clear, Tiwari added. The visibility has become good and regular flights to all destinations barring Pokhara have resumed from Thursday as there is no thick haze like in the recent past,” he said. Many passengers have been stranded in Pokhara for the past three days.
Denizens facing pollution-related problems
As of late, Sangam Rai of Baluawatar is facing respiratory problems, which he believes is due to the result of the air quality outside. He consulted a doctor who reconfirmed his belief that pollution has, in fact, been a menace to several others like Rai. The doctor has advised him against wandering outside needlessly.
Kum Raj Sharma, who works as a rideshare driver, said he has been suffering from eye burns, itching in his eyes and throat. “People like me, whose duty starts and ends on the road, are more susceptible to this weather,” Sharma said.
Geetanjali Sharma, 47, of Indrachowk has been suffering from various problems including itchy eyes due to recurring air pollution in and around Kathmandu Valley. She has been trying her best to remain indoors, but it isn’t feasible. While frequenting the market for ration, Sharma rushes home as quickly as she can. “Sometimes, I feel choked by this overwhelming pollution. I don’t know what is going to happen.”
Since last week, Rajendra Humagain, 53, a resident of Gaushala, has been afflicted with throat pain. “Today I am feeling better. I had itchy throat and was facing difficulty swallowing. But I am feeling better now and have resumed going to the market,” Humagain said.
Source : THE RISING NEPAL
