KATHMANDU, APRIL 30

With air pollution levels in Kathmandu on the rise, the Ministry of Health and Population has urged people to wear masks as a protective measure in Kathmandu. The federal capital's air quality has been ranked among the world's most unhealthy, prompting the Ministry to advise caution.

Ministry's spokesperson Dr Prakash Budhathoki urged people to not come out of home unnecessarily, not to travel and to stay away from highly polluted areas, as the air pollutants in Kathmandu were high.

According to the 'World Air Quality Index-Ranking', which measures the level of air pollution around the world, Kathmandu's air is at the top of the world's unhealthy air list.

'Air pollution affects the heart and blood vessels, lungs, brain, eyes, nose, ears, throat, etc. It also increases the risk of asthma, cancer, etc. is at the top of the world's unhealthy list. 'Air pollution affects the heart and blood vessels, lungs, brain, eyes, nose, ears, throat, etc and also increases the risk of asthma, cancer, among other health issues,' the Ministry spokesman Budhathoki said through a press release.

Mostly children under five years old, pregnant women, chronically ill people and the elderly account for high number of annual deaths due to air pollution in Nepal. Air pollution has reduced the average life expectancy of Nepalese by 4.1 percent.

Spokesperson Budhathoki says that various facts and researches show that air pollution is the main cause of illness and death in Nepal.

With the possibility of heatwaves in the Terai region during summer, the Ministry has also advised against unnecessary outdoor activities during the day, recommending increased water intake and consumption of liquid foods to prevent heatstroke.

The Ministry noted a rise in hospital admissions across the country as temperatures soar, urging citizens to prioritize their health during the hot season.