KATHMANDU: The toxic smog blanketing Indian city New Delhi is gradually affecting the Tarai districts of Nepal bordering India.
The air monitoring stations (with high-tech laser particle sensors) stalled in Lumbini, Sauraha, and Nepalgunj have recently recorded (particulate matter) PM2.5 highest micrograms per cubic meter. The air containing more than 40 micrograms per cubic meter is considered harmful to health, according to the Department of Environment.
As per the Real-Time Air Quality Index (AQI), the air quality in Lumbini has 198 micrograms per cubic meter, the air in Sauraha has 115 micrograms per cubic meter while the air in Nepalgunj has 194 per cubic meter.
The air quality of Kathmandu has 133 micrograms per cubic meter less than that of Lumbini and Nepalgunj.
Environmentalists have advised people to wear N95 and N99 pollution masks to prevent themselves from the toxic smog.
Currently, Delhi’s air has 800 micrograms per cubic meter, which has forced schools and construction works closed and the people, in general, have been advised to stay indoors.
New Delhi has imposed an odd and even traffic rule in a bid to minimize the toxic smog.
Schools in Delhi had distributed over 5 million masks on Friday alone.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has urged one and all to follow the instructions issued by the government to prevent themselves from the toxic smog.
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