Forest Fires, Suffocating Environment: Pokhara Records Less Rainfall Than Last Year
Pokhara: The sky over Pokhara seems suffocating. In this beautiful city, where mountains are usually visible, the dense smog now obscures even the nearby hills. Air flights have remained suspended for the past few days due to the persistent overcast conditions. Smog is making Pokhara a scene of disarray. The Air Quality Index (AQI) indicates significant pollution in Pokhara's air. As of Monday afternoon, the index displayed a reading of 175, posing health risks to residents. An AQI reading exceeding 50 is deemed harmful to human health. Currently, pollution is not limited to the skies of Pokhara but also affects Gandaki Province. Forest fires directly impact the environment, exacerbating the situation. Additionally, the weather has not cleared due to a lack of rain during the rainy season. Pre-monsoon in Nepal typically lasts from March to May. Despite Pokhara being renowned for its abundant rainfall, it is not receiving as much rain as expected during this pre-monsoon period. ...