KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) has issued an appeal Friday, urging residents of Kathmandu not to spend time out in the open citing the high air pollution level in the valley.
It has also asked people to stop going out for morning walk for the next few days.
It has also urged to halt construction activities and business that tend to add to air pollution. Such activities could be started after a few days by adopting measures to minimize pollution, the MoHP notice says.
Further, it has discouraged burning waste and driving vehicles in order to minimize air pollution.
In case people have to get out of their houses, it has encouraged to wear face mask and follow the COVID-19 safety protocols.
Kathmandu was ranked No 1 city with high air pollution level on Friday, according to a real-time index of air pollution monitoring website iqair.com.
According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology’s Sajina Shakya, air pollution level rose significant in the capital today due to dust particles carried by wind from the Thar desert in India. The Thar desert stretches over Indian states Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
Increased air pollution and low visibility have also resulted in suspension of flights at Tribhuvan International Airport earlier in the afternoon.
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