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The air quality index (AQI) measured the Kathmandu Valley pollution as the second worst in the world on Wednesday. 

The weather has been deteriorating in the valley and many parts of the country for some days. 

Director General at the Department of Environment, Gyan Raj Subedi, has argued that lack of rainfall and strong wind caused the deposit of polluted air in the bowl-shaped valley. He urged all not to go out of residence except essential work and use mask while going out of residence.

"For some days, most of the places including the Kathmandu Valley witnessed gloomy weather. Even the rains are not in sight, nor the sunny weather. With strong wind in short supply, the polluted air is choking the valley," he said, adding, "Once the weather improves, the air pollution subsides." 

Meteorologist at Meteorological Forecasting Division, Sanjiv Adhikari, however, informed that the weather would improve gradually with gradual disappearance of haze.

The AQI measured Kathmandu Valley's air quality at 174, placing it as the second worst polluted city in the world till 4 pm today.

Environmental campaigner Bhushan Tuladhar said preparedness is imperative for air pollution. Massive public awareness against air pollution is needed together. 

The AQI notches from 150 to 200 are categorized 'hazardous to every ones' health', while the reading from 201 to 300 signals 'very unhealthy' and above it 'very harmful'. The measurement from 0 to 50 indicates the air quality as 'good'.

Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly’s government raised the fuel price saying that it is also important to make sure local production goes on and to balance the economy, AP reported.

Egypt priced fuel by up to 17 percent after the Middle East war has sent prices of oil soaring. 

Prime Minister Madbouly said that the government had to make a choice between maintaining current fuel prices which might have imposed heavy costs on the state and raising them to shield industrial and business operations from repercussions of war, according to AP.

According to AP, Qatar has been warning citizens to stay safe inside their settlements due to the fear of Iranian attack. The UAE also informed that it has activated it’s air defence to intercept incoming fire from Iran.

Iranian Security Ali Larijani posted “The sacrificial nation of Iran doesn’t fear your empty threats. Even those bigger than you couldn’t eliminate Iran. Be careful not to get eliminated yourself” on X Tuesday after US President Donald Trump threatened to attack “Twenty Times Harder” on Iran if Tehran stopped oil flowing from the Strait of Hormuz.

Former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai is heading to India on Wednesday to participate in the ‘NXT 2026’ Global Summit to be held in New Delhi, his secretariat stated. 

The summit will be held on March 12-14. Bhattarai is participating in the summit as the ‘Guest of Honor’.

The event will be participated by policymakers, parliamentarians, technology experts, businessmen and representatives from specialized academic fields from all over the world will participate in the summit.

The event will feature the discussions on contemporary issues such as global governance, technology, economy, education, security, health, environment and international relations, according to the organizers.

Bhattarai is scheduled to speak at the session titled ‘Democracy in the Age of AIM Digital Governance and the Youth’ on March 14, according to his secretariat.

He will return on March 14.

Haze, which has blanketed most parts of the country for the past few days, is expected to clear gradually from today.

Meteorologist Sanjeev Adhikari said the weather would further improve tomorrow as compared to today. 

Haze has been seen in most parts of the country due to the influence of a high-pressure system in recent periods. 

But, this system would become weaker gradually and the weather would be clear. 

Currently, there is partly the influence of westerly wind, a high-pressure system located at upper atmosphere and low-pressure area located at lower atmosphere near eastern part, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division. 

Light rainfall had occurred at some places today, added the Division.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 32. 08 points to close at 2, 843. 35 points on Tuesday. 

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 4. 40 points to close at 489. 69 points.

A total of 52,711,353-unit shares of 329 companies were traded for Rs 1. 63 billion.

Meanwhile, Reliance Spinning Mills Limited (RSML) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise,  Him Star Urja Company Limited (HIMSTAR) was the top loser as their price fell by 6. 36 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 78 trillion.

In recent days, adverse weather conditions have led to an increase in air pollution levels in various parts of the country. 

Major cities, including Kathmandu and Pokhara, have recorded high levels of particulate matter (PM2.5). 

The Department of Environment under the Ministry of Forests and Environment has urged the public to take all possible precautions against rising environmental pollution.

In a public appeal issued today, the Department advised people to wear masks while going out, ensure regular maintenance and servicing of vehicles, refrain from burning waste and crop residues, and discourage others from doing so.

Likewise, it has called for efforts to prevent wildfires and to take prompt action to extinguish them if they occur.

 It also urged authorities and stakeholders to systematize construction activities to ensure they are dust and smoke-free and to strictly implement the established standards in the operation of factories and industries.

Department Director General Gyan Raj Subedi said that minimizing air pollution is possible only through collective efforts from all concerned stakeholders. 

He emphasized the need for collective responsibility and positive cooperation from the public to address the problem.

According to the Department, pollution levels tend to rise in the morning and evening.

 It also said that the lack of rainfall for a long period has contributed to the increasing air pollution.