Kathmandu, 10 March: Before the activities of the House of Representatives member election could even conclude, adverse effects have been seen on the weather in the western hilly region. In Dadeldhura, where the Himalayas are usually clearly visible, it has become difficult to even see from one hill to another since Sunday.
Due to a weather system that entered the hills via the Butwal area of Lumbini Province on Sunday morning, the western hills appeared dark even during the daytime, while its impact was seen even more in the Terai region.
According to Meteorologist Meghraj Sharma from the Field Office of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Dadeldhura, this situation is due to pollution from industrial areas in the Terai and India entering the hilly region. According to him, there is also a possibility of atmospheric effects due to the fierce wars taking place in Middle Eastern countries.
Even in a green district like Dadeldhura, which is covered by about 74 percent forest, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 153 on Monday afternoon, which is not considered suitable for health. Generally, while an AQI above 200 is considered very unhealthy, reaching above 150 in a hilly region is also not considered good. This is exacerbating respiratory and eye problems.
Since Nepal does not have its own weather system, weather systems developing in neighboring and other countries influence the weather here. According to Sharma, due to increasing population density and industrialization in states adjoining Nepal like Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal in India, its impact has been seen since the 1980s in the plains of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
The occurrence of thick fog in the Terai during cold weather and the sky appearing hazy due to dust and smoke during this time are also effects of this. Scientists also consider this an indicator of climate change.
Pollution levels increase when dust and smoke particles emitted from industries mix with the clean atmosphere. Meteorologist Sharma informed that there is a possibility of light rain until Tuesday, so its impact will gradually decrease.
Dust raised from development and construction work, as well as smoke from fires lit by farmers in their fields, also contribute to increasing pollution. Children and the elderly are more affected by this weather. To clear such a sudden weather condition, wind or rain is necessary. Sharma stated that a system has developed for light rain in Karnali Province on Monday and in Sudurpashchim Province on Tuesday.
According to Dr. Hema Joshi, a physician at Dadeldhura Hospital, currently, 20 to 30 patients with respiratory problems are coming to the hospital almost daily. She informed that the number of such patients increases during cold weather.
