Dhumm Kathmandu

According to the Environment Department, the average air quality index (AQI) of the valley was 169 in the last 24 hours around 5 pm on Monday. The highest was 180 in Bhainsepati, 178 in Ratnapark, 177 in Shankhpark, 163 in Tribhuvan University Kirtipur, 160 in Khumaltar and 158 in Bhaktapur. The

department considers an AQI of up to 150 as satisfactory, 150 to 200 as unhealthy, and 301 to 500 as an emergency. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, there have been fires in 337 places across the country in the last two weeks. On Monday afternoon, 133 fires were active across the country.

According to the World Health Organization, for a healthy environment, the amount of particles with a diameter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM 2.5) in the air should be 5 micrograms per cubic meter or less. In Kathmandu, around 7 pm on Monday, the amount of particles with a diameter smaller than 2.5 microns in the air reached 87 micrograms. Which is 17 times higher than the standard of the World Health Organization.

According to Rojan Lamichhane, a meteorologist of the Weather Forecast Division, due to the influence of the western wind, the smoke-dust and wind from the fires in the country and India are increasing in Kathmandu and the local air is stable, so the air pollution is high. "On Sunday, the air pollution was at the highest level of this year, on Monday it was a little less due to some amount of wind, but the pollution is very high," he said.

Due to the shape of a bowl, air pollution in Kathmandu Valley will remain for a long time until it rains and there is a big wind. Bhupendra Das says. Kathmandu valley has been facing this problem every year during pre-monsoon season. Normally, winds from the Terai enter Kathmandu through Dakshinkali-Wagmati coast and winds from Dhading in the southwest enter through Thankot and Bhimdhunga Bhanjyang. The wind coming from Nuwakot in the northwest enters the valley through Mudkhu and Tinpiple Bhanjyang. Das said that if there is no rain, air pollution in the valley will continue and health complications will increase and it will directly affect daily life.

It has not rained in the valley for a week. The weather forecast for the next three days shows that this possibility is very low. Meteorologist Lamichhane said that if air pollution continues to increase, it will affect air travel.

According to Das, an air quality expert, there are other reasons for causing air pollution problems in Kathmandu apart from fires and burning of agricultural residues. Air pollution is caused by brick kilns, factories, use of fuel vehicles and burning of garbage. According to him, 7,400 metric tons of garbage and 44,000 metric tons of agricultural residues are burned every year in Kathmandu Valley alone. Vehicle usage is increasing at a rate of 15 to 16 percent every year. 3 million metric tons of agricultural residues are burned every year across the country.

Das said that industrialization in neighboring countries and the highest use of coal are also affecting Nepal. "Air pollution has no boundaries, the smoke and dust released by the industrial activities of the big power nations can reach anywhere, now it is dry and the spread will be faster," he said. He said that this situation will continue throughout the month of April as the air pollution has just started.

Particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM 2.5) consists of nitrates, sulfates, black carbon, ammonium, and dust. As such particles can easily enter the inner layers of the respiratory tract, they are dangerous for health. Arjun Karki said.

When air pollution increases, breathing difficulties, burning eyes, itchy nose, sneezing, coughing, and sore throat are seen. Those who already have asthma or are chronically ill are more vulnerable to asthma. "This kind of dust damages the inner layer of the respiratory tract, asthmatic and chronic patients are more likely to be taken to the hospital after being suffocated," said Karki.

Karki suggested not to go out of the house as much as possible to prevent or avoid health problems, wear an N-95 mask if you have to go out, close the window when staying indoors, and avoid morning walks as much as possible in the morning as the air pollution in Kathmandu Valley is high. There is double the respiratory risk for smokers during high levels of air pollution than after exposure. Environment Inspector Govinda Prasad Lamichhane has suggested not to burn garbage and repair vehicles due to the increased risk of air pollution.

According to the data of 'State of Global Air-2020', 42 thousand 100 people die every year due to air pollution in Nepal. According to the 2018 report, around 37,000 people died.