Meteorologists say that haze is responsible for the gloomy days and the reduced visibility."Severe air pollution generated from vehicles, brick factories and industries have made the sky of the capital hazy," said Mani Ratna Shakya, a senior meteorologist. Haze is the light cloud that carries pollution, dust particles and smoke, making the sky blur.
According to Shakya, human factor is responsible for the smoggy environment. He said that clouds over the sky of the Valley very much polluted, which includes smokes produced by industries and vehicles and dust. Shakya, however, said that the dark clouds are not likely to cause rainfall but only increases visibility.
He said that the bowl-like shape of the Kathmandu Valley prevents the smog to move across the surrounding high hills. Westerly winds, which blow in the pre monsoon period, too carry dust particles that prevent the sunlight to reach the earth. Dryness has increased as there is no heavy rainfall for long period.
Another meteorologist Rajendra Prasad Shrestha said that the sky will be clear if moderate rainfall occurs. "The haze has formed as there has been no rainfall for several days," said Shrestha. He informed that the clouds have moved to the Western Region from the Far-western Region and will move toward the east. Shrestha too denied the chances of heavy rainfall and predicted only little rain in the hilly region.
He said that the existing weather condition is harmful for health. Kathmandu Valley has been ranked as the third most polluted city in the world, according to the 2016 pollution index.
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