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The Nepal Airlines Corporation is all set to conduct a 'Special Flight' tonight aimed at rescuing passengers stranded at Dubai Airport. 

The airline released a flight notice on Tuesday, indicating that a wide-body aircraft will depart at 11:15pm to transport passengers from Nepal to Dubai, while also facilitating the return of those stuck in Dubai back home. 

Flight RA 230 (Dubai–Kathmandu) is set to arrive in Kathmandu on Thursday morning at 4:10. 

In light of the ongoing US–Iran conflict, Executive Director Amritman Shrestha said that this will be the Nepal Airline's first special flight to Dubai in 12 days to assist the stranded travelers. 

He emphasized that passengers will be accommodated based on a 'first come, first served' policy. Shrestha noted that approximately 270 to 280 passengers are expected to reach Dubai tonight. 

The Executive Director further explained that these special flights are organized to ensure the safe return of passengers who have been awaiting rescue in Dubai. 

He confirmed that RA 229 (Kathmandu–Dubai) is scheduled to leave for Dubai at 11:15 tonight, with RA 230 (Dubai–Kathmandu) departing at 4:10am on Thursday. 

Only those passengers who had tickets booked between February 28 and March 9 and were unable to travel will be eligible for tonight's flight. 

The Corporation has urged all passengers to revalidate their tickets prior to traveling.

The Police Headquarters has noted that the air pollution level has increased alarmingly in Kathmandu and other major cities and has issued a public request for adoption of necessary precautions.

Central Spokesperson of Nepal Police and Deputy Inspector General of Police Avi Narayan Kafle said that a public notice has been issued today requesting for special attention to personal health protection and to exercise caution due to increased pollution.

According to him, the Nepal Police has issued a six-point request to the citizens, asking them to stay at home and not to go outside unless necessary.

Similarly, the police have requested to use vehicles less by travelling together in groups or giving each other a 'lift', not to burn garbage around one's house, and to avoid outdoor activities when air pollution levels are high.

The police have requested that especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems take extra precautions as well as mandatory use of regular masks. Spokesperson Kafle also stated that if any respiratory problems arise, people should contact the nearest hospital, health center, or doctor immediately.

With the change in weather, the level of pollution is also increasing in Nepal. 

The impact is more visible in urban areas including the Kathmandu Valley. The Ministry of Health has also requested everyone to take special care of their health during this time.

The World Bank has extended support to Nepal’s Clean Air and Prosperity Project to reduce air pollution from industries and strengthen air quality management. 

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved Rs 7.7 billion credit for the project. 

The project will help reduce fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions, particularly from industrial and commercial boilers and furnaces, while strengthening national systems for air quality management. 

“Air pollution is not only a public health crisis but also a significant economic burden in Nepal, costing the country more than six percent of GDP each year through health costs and lost labour productivity,” said David Sislen, Division Director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. 

This project aims to protect millions of people from harmful pollution by helping Nepali enterprises adopt cleaner and more efficient technologies that at the same time also lower operating costs, improve competitiveness, and support sustainable industrial growth, he added. 

The counting of tigers in the Shuklaphanta National Park began on Tuesday. The tigers in the Park and its vicinity are being counted for the fifth time. 

A conservation officer at the Park, Purushottam Wagle, informed that the big cats would be enumerated with camera trapping methods. The tigers are counted every four years. This is the fifth time the count is going on. 

A survey will be conducted in the Park and its vicinity where a total 520 automated cameras have been installed by identifying the tigers' trail.

A 77-member technical team has been mobilized for this task. Even the elephants would be used for easing the count. The workforce carries out its duty through 11 camps. 

The last survey held in 2022 had recorded 36 tigers in the Park which covers 305 square kilometer area. The number of big cats is expected to have increased since then.