National
Foggy days ahead as the mercury drops
Kathmandu Valley could see a cover of thick fog and haze in coming days as temperatures continue to drop, according to meteorologists.Kathmandu Valley could see a cover of thick fog and haze in coming days as temperatures continue to drop, according to meteorologists.
Minimum day temperatures have come down to 15 degrees and 10 degrees Celsius in the last few days. And the trend is expected to continue.
“Minimum temperature is expected to drop further over the next week,” said Raju Pradhananga, a meteorologist at the Meteorological Forecasting Division (MFD).
According to Pradhananga, the mornings and afternoons could remain hazy with increased concentration of dust particles and this condition will get worse in the coming days.
The maximum and minimum temperatures of Kathmandu Valley were recorded at 21.2 and 8.2 degrees Celsius respectively on Saturday.
Jumla recorded the lowest temperature measuring below freezing point (-0.5) degrees Celsius while Biratnagar recorded highest temperature at 29.6 degrees Celsius on the same day. Besides Kathmandu Valley, foggy and hazy days are expected in some other parts of the country as well, according to the MFD.
Concerned over the risks of cold-related deaths in Tarai districts due to lack of proper preparedness, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) last week directed the concerned authorities and partners to come up with measures to prevent possible cold-related deaths this winter.
The government has urged the concerned bodies to take preventive measures to provide relief and better preparedness to the people living in Tarai districts.
At least 22 cold-related fatalities were reported in many Tarai districts last year.
MoHA has also asked the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) to take special care of the families living in temporary shelters after they lost their houses to earthquakes last year.
Hundreds of families who are yet to receive the housing aid are set to endure harsh winter for the second year in a row as they are yet to receive the housing aid promised by the government.