Health Ministry Urges Public Caution Amid Severe Air Pollution in Kathmandu Valley and Major Cities

Kathmandu. Amid the recent surge in air pollution across the Kathmandu Valley and other major cities in the country, the Ministry of Health and Population has urged the general public to take special precautions. The Ministry appealed to people to avoid going outdoors unless absolutely necessary, citing the potential for serious health impacts due to air pollution.

According to Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, the level of harmful Particulate Matter (PM 2.5) in the air in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar, and various areas of the Terai region has increased significantly. He stated that these fine and harmful particles, which enter the body through respiration and skin contact, pose serious risks to human health.

The Ministry has indicated that senior citizens, pregnant women, children under 5, and individuals with chronic illnesses are at high risk from the pollution and must take extra precautions. "This can cause everything from general eye irritation, itching, and vision impairment to serious heart, kidney, respiratory diseases, and even cancer," said spokesperson Dr. Budhathoki.

Advice to Avoid Outdoors in Morning and Evening

To avoid pollution, the Ministry has specifically advised against going outdoors during the morning and evening hours. This request is because harmful germs and particles accumulate in the lower atmosphere during these times, and people are urged not to go for morning or evening walks.

If one must go out, the Ministry suggested mandatorily using masks, wearing glasses to protect the eyes, and wearing full-body clothing and a hat to protect the skin from pollution.

Health Ministry Coordinating with Other Ministries

The Ministry of Health has stated that it is coordinating and advocating with other concerned ministries to mitigate air pollution. According to spokesperson Budhathoki, continuous discussions are ongoing with the Ministries of Industry, Physical Infrastructure, Agriculture and Forests, and Environment regarding pollution reduction. The Ministry stressed that pollution will not be eradicated until vehicle emissions, factory smoke, pesticide use in agriculture, indiscriminate burning of waste and plastic, and forest fires are controlled, urging all parties to take responsibility to stop such activities. For the immediate term, the Ministry stated that the best option is to keep the body safe from the direct effects of pollution.