KATHMANDU, APRIL 8
A thick, grey smog has blanketed Kathmandu Valley and much of Nepal, turning the air acrid and the sky an unnatural shade of white. Across the country, forests are burning, rain is scarce, and the air grows heavier with each passing day.
Air pollution levels across Nepal have remained alarmingly high, with multiple locations recording AQI levels categorized as "unhealthy" to "very unhealthy" today. The deteriorating air quality, driven by persistent forest fires, dry weather, and stagnant atmospheric conditions, is no longer confined to the Kathmandu Valley but is impacting large swathes of the country.
On Monday alone, the government's Bipad portal recorded over 200 forest fire incidents across the country, and 258 fire events, with three reported fatalities - one due to fire and two from forest fire-related incidents. Extended dry conditions have sparked forest fires throughout Palpa district, with 36 community and government-owned woodlands affected. So far, fires in 36 community and government forests have already destroyed 711 hectares of land in the district.
From the crowded roads of Kathmandu to the far-flung hills of Rara, air pollution has reached levels deemed dangerous to health.
These fires, combined with road construction, industrial emissions, and unfavorable weather patterns, have severely worsened air quality.
Meanwhile, apart from its own air pollution, smoke from wildfires is also being carried into the Kathmandu Valley, compounding its pollution woes.
In Kathmandu's Shankapark, the AQI surged to 213 on Monday-a level considered "very unhealthy." Bhaktapur and Ratnapark followed closely behind with AQIs over 190. Even towns far from the capital-Rara (158), Dhangadhi (117), Bharatpur (106)-are now enveloped in haze.
According to real-time data, the Air Quality Index at Shankapark was recorded at 184 on Tuesday, with PM2.5 levels reaching 126.8 µg/m³ and PM10 at 192.89 µg/m³. The area remains one of the country's pollution hotspots. Other locations across the Valley also reported poor air quality: Ratnapark (175), Khumaltar (165), and Bhaisipati (162).
Kathmandu's bowl-shaped geography, usually its charm, has become its trap-keeping toxic air from dispersing. According to the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the Valley has suffered from polluted air on 75 of the past 90 days. The main culprits? Forest fires, vehicular emissions, road dust, construction activities, and stagnant weather conditions.
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (MFD) has forecast brief rain or thundershowers in the hilly regions of Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini Provinces, which may offer temporary relief by reducing smog. Kathmandu Valley is expected to be partly to generally cloudy this afternoon, with a chance of brief rain that could help clear some of the haze. However, it is unlikely to settle the dense dust particles completely.
"The prevailing dry conditions have led to more instances of forest fires across the country," said Sagar Adhikari, Air Pollution Analyst at ICIMOD. He emphasized that emissions from residential, transport, and dust sources, combined with stagnant meteorological conditions, are choking the Valley.
Flights have been delayed and diverted as visibility has dropped across the country, including at Tribhuvan International Airport. Aircraft are sometimes grounded for hours at various airports due to poor visibility.
The Ministry of Health has issued advisories urging residents to stay indoors, wear masks, and avoid highly polluted areas. When the AQI soared to a hazardous 348 last Thursday, a public health alert was released, urging extreme caution.
Yet for many, staying indoors isn't an option. With Kathmandu Valley's high population density and the ongoing protests, the streets remain crowded. Teachers across Nepal have been rallying in Kathmandu since Chaitra 20 (April 2), with thousands taking to the streets daily in protest. Victims of cooperatives, microfinance, and banks have also been protesting in Kathmandu. Daily traffic congestion has only worsened the situation, exposing people to prolonged outdoor air pollution.
While brief rain is forecast for parts of Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini, meteorologists warn it may not be enough. A passing shower is unlikely to settle the dust or lift the haze significantly.
As pressure builds, calls are growing for the government to declare a health emergency in Kathmandu. Environmental experts are urging bold measures-such as limiting traffic, suspending construction activities, and declaring public holidays to reduce exposure.
Although Kathmandu Valley has an Air Quality Management Plan (2076)-which classifies an AQI above 300 as a disaster-implementation has been lax. Last week, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh called for an emergency meeting to discuss mitigation strategies. However, the results of that discussion have yet to be seen.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has also called for collective action to address pollution and its health impacts. It has directed industries and construction sectors to reduce emissions, and urged authorities to monitor air quality and act swiftly.
As Kathmandu Valley continues to choke under thick haze, public health concerns are mounting, with increased reports of respiratory, eye, and skin problems among residents. While scattered rainfall may provide brief respite, experts warn that without structural intervention and enforcement, the capital's pollution crisis will persist.
