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Tension ran high in Banepa, Kavrepalanchowk after a scooter rider died after being hit by a tipper, on Wednesday.

Police said that the tipper hit the scooter this morning. 

The identity of the deceased is yet to be ascertained.

Following the incident, the angry mob set the tipper on fire. 

As a result, vehicular movement along the Araniko Highway has been disrupted. 

The Gyalpo Lhosar, the cultural festival of the Sherpa community, that falls on the Shukla Pratipada in the Nepali month of Falgun is being marked today by organizing different programs.

The festival is observed as the New Year by the Sherpa community who primarily reside in the mountainous region of Nepal. But the festival is marked in 22 districts in the country.

Gyalpo Lhosar is celebrated with gaiety and much fun from the Shukla Pratipada to Purnima. This festival is also celebrated by Mahayan Buddhists as their New Year.

This festival has been observed since the time of the ninth king of Bhot Uday Gungyal. 

On this occasion, people of the Sherpa community clean up their houses and villages, sources of water and flutter new prayer flags on the roof of their houses.

They cook delicacies such as Guthuk and Khapse and exchange best wishes with each other to welcome the New Year.

The Gurung community marks its New Year on Paush 15 as the Tamu Lhosar while the Tamang community observes it as Sonam Lhosar on the day of Magh Shukla Pratipada.

The air pollution level in the Kathmandu Valley has increased. 

The Air Quality Index (AQI), which was 178 until Monday afternoon, has risen to 191 as of this afternoon. 

This level is considered unhealthy for everyone, as defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) standard.

According to the AQI standard, when the index ranges from 151 to 200, everyone may begin to experience health effects, and members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.

With today’s AQI level, the Kathmandu Valley has been listed as the third most polluted city in the world. New Delhi has been categorized as the most polluted city with an AQI of 229, followed by Lahore, Pakistan, with an AQI of 203, placing it second.

According to the Director General of the Department of Environment, Gyan Raj Subedi, the pollution level is likely to increase further if there is no rainfall. The prolonged absence of rain has contributed to the rising pollution levels.

Director General Subedi has advised all concerned stakeholders to follow sustainable and environmentally friendly measures to reduce the impact of increasing air pollution.

Environmental expert Barsha Parajuli said that the rising number of motor vehicles in the Kathmandu Valley, emissions from diesel- and petrol-run vehicles, dust from under-construction roads and infrastructure projects, forest fires, and prolonged drought have led to the escalation of air pollution levels. 

She warned that if the situation is not brought under control in time, it may become more challenging.

An AQI of 0–50, indicated by green, is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk. Likewise, 51–100, highlighted in yellow, is considered moderate and acceptable; however, there may be moderate health concerns for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

Similarly, 101–150, highlighted in orange, is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, who may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

An AQI of 151–200, indicated in red, is considered unhealthy. Everyone may begin to experience health effects, and members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion, while others, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion, as defined by the standard.

Similarly, 201–300, indicated in purple, is considered very unhealthy. The entire population is more likely to be affected. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should avoid all outdoor exertion, and others, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion.

An AQI of 300 and above, highlighted in maroon, is considered hazardous. Everyone may experience more serious health effects, and all people should avoid outdoor exertion. 

Police have arrested a woman on the charge of swindling people with false promises of foreign employment.

A police team deployed from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office apprehended Nima Dolma Lama (35) of Tarkeswar Municipality for allegedly cheating people with false promises of lucrative jobs in the UK. 

Police said that she duped two people of millions of rupees by offering false employment opportunities in the UK.