KATHMANDU: On Monday, a thick layer of haze engulfed the Kathmandu Valley, placing the Air Quality Index ( AQI ) in the” Very Unhealthy” category.
As of 2:30 pm ( local time ), the Ministry of Forests and Environment’s Department of Environment Air Quality Monitoring determined that Bhaisipati’s air quality was “hazardous,” with a US AQI reading of 333.
The dense, polluted haze that impacted flight operations at Tribhuvan International Airport ( TIA ) on Monday afternoon caused the cancellation of at least half a dozen international flights.
Airlines from Jazeera Airways, Air India, and Fly Dubai were unable to land, according to TIA director Rinji Sherpa, because of poor visibility early in the morning.
Sherpa reported that the presence was merely 1,600 meters this morning, which did not meet the landing requirements. ” Even though awareness has increased to 3, 000 meters, sand and cloud continue to be a challenge.”
A Fly Dubai journey was diverted to Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa while two planes from Jazeera Airways and Air India were rerouted to Varanasi, India. Before landing, there were brief difficulties for some airlines.
Another planes had little holdups before ejecting.
Residents of Kathmandu Dipesh Darshandhari described the effects of the worsening pollutants. Pollution has” soared incredibly.” It is all covered in a thick dark cloud, dipping the visibility when you look up at the Kathmandu Valley from the bottom of Swayambhunath Stupa. My chest and burns are also itchy, according to Darshandhari, who told ANI.
The Kathmandu Valley’s PM2.5 intensity was 209.8 ug/m3 in accordance with the Air Quality Index. Particulate matter ( solid or liquid droplets ) in the air that is less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter are referred to as PM2.5.
These good particles can pass the nose and throat, inhale in the lungs, and also enter the bloodstream, making them one of the most harmful air particles. PM2.5 debris remain suspended in the air for an extended period of time due to their small size, increasing the risk of ingestion.
The largest metropolitan region in Nepal is Kathmandu, a city known for its mediaeval palaces and temples. It serves as a gateway for the business, history, art, culture, learning, healthcare, and education.
Air pollution in Nepal has recently turned into a major environmental and public health crisis, with levels recorded at levels that are 4.9 times higher than the World Health Organization’s ( WHO ) recommended standards.
Hunderts of hundreds of Nepalese are in danger of serious health issues as a result of the weather quality’s decline in Kathmandu. The WHO has regularly cited air pollution as Nepal’s top risk factor for death and disability.
The worsening air quality has turned out to be a major issue for public health, causing many deaths and diseases related to air pollution. Additionally, it puts more strain on the economy on account of the country’s declining production and mounting pressure on healthcare resources. Moreover, there are no thorough wellness impact assessments to assess the full scope of air pollution’s health and economic effects as well as the regional steps required to address this issue.
