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One hundred and two people have died in fire incidents in one year's period (from April 14, 2024 to April 3, 2024).

More than 3,795 fire incidents were reported in various places of the country during this period, resulting in the casualties, stated the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).

Four thousand seven hundred and twenty-five families have been affected due to the fire incidents in the same period, NDRRMA spokesperson Gomadevi Chemjong said.

According to her, the fires damaged properties worth more than Rs 2.33 billion.

Spokesperson Chemjong said although incidents of fire decreased as it rained in the meantime, the fire incidents have started spreading again warranting precaution.

The highest casualties due to disasters this year are from fire incidents, excepting the casualties resulting from the Jajarkot earthquake.

Forty-three people were killed due to lightning while 20 of snake bite, 12 of avalanche, 43 of wild animals attacks and five of wildfires during the same period, according to the NDRRMA data.

Four hundred and seventy-seven people have been killed in various disaster incidents since April 14 last year.

Eight people including seven Nepalis died in a road accident at Betalghat in Nainital district of India on Monday night.

According to Sub-Inspector at Betalghat Police Post, Anish Ansari, the deceased have been identified as Bishram Chaudhary, Dhiraj Chaudhary, Antaram Chaudhary, Binod Chaudhary, Tilak Chaudhary, Udayram Chaudhary and Gopal Basnet.

Based on the documents found with them, the seven Nepalis were from Babai of the then Bheri zone, according to the police. 

The accident took place when a rented vehicle fell some 150 meters down the road while loading goods. They had been working there to lay pipelines along the roadside around the incident site.

A local driver along with seven Nepalis lost their lives in the accident, he shared. All the bodies have been kept at Nainital Government Hospital.

Similarly, Shanti Chaudhary, wife of Dhiraj Chaudhary, and Janak Chaudhary were injured in the incident.  Sub-Inspector Ansari said police personnel as well as state disaster response teams were deputed to carry out rescue operations.

Air pollution of Kathmandu Valley has increased following the forest fires that occurred across the country for the past few days.

Based on the Air Quality Index (AQI), Kathmandu has been ranked as the topmost polluted city globally this afternoon, recording an AQI of 200.

Deputy Director General of the Department of Environment, Tara Dutta Bhatta, said there is an effect of forest fires in the air of different cities including Kathmandu.

"The air pollution of Kathmandu had also increased a few weeks ago. It becomes more polluted today," he mentioned, adding the air pollution would increase until forest fire comes under control.

Similarly, Disaster Management expert Dr Dharma Raj Upreti, said an AQI value of up to 50 is considered good while 51-100 moderate, 100-150 unhealthy and it is highly hazardous if measured 150-200.

Likewise, AQI value from 201 to 300 is considered very unhealthy while 300-400 dangerous and 401-450 very dangerous.  

Air Quality Management Action Plan for Kathmandu Valley, 2076, reads that an AQI of more than 300 is considered as a disaster. It has been mentioned in the action plan not to burn garbage, to increase the use of brooms and vacuums to clean the roads to stop such type of disaster as well as to issue public notices to children, senior citizens and patients to take special precautions.

In the National Environment Policy, 2076 BS, it is mentioned that national standards related to prevention of water, air, soil, sound, electricity, magnetic waves, radioactive radiation, and hazardous chemical pollution will be prepared and implemented in order to reduce pollution.

According to the strategy, air, water and sound quality will be mapped by establishing and operating quality measurement centers in areas at risk of pollution including major cities and industrial areas.

Kabiraj Negi Lama is the team coach for the National Para Taekwondo Team for Nepal. Holding a 6th Dan black belt, he began coaching para taekwondo in 2015, later receiving training in South Korea. Additionally, he is a certified international-level coach in Para taekwondo. Over the years, he has coached for nine international competitions, leading Nepal to claim 10 medals from both World Taekwondo and International Paralympic games.

Lama coached teams in major events like the Paralympic Games in Tokyo 2020, the 4th Asian Para Games in China, and the Asian Youth Para Games in Bahrain in 2021. He also worked for seven years as an Executive Assistant at the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), apart from his volunteer work in Para Taekwondo coaching.

Lama lost his mother at an early age. He was raised by his aunt and grandfather, who were his guardians and strong support systems. While attending school near Pashupati Bankali, he was introduced to taekwondo, which sparked his interest in the game. Soon, he began training  children at schools and fitness clubs as well. His dedication caught the attention of the Taekwondo Association Nepal which appointed him to train for Para Taekwondo competitions, eventually earning him international coaching recognition.

At 34, Lama inspires people with disabilities to pursue sports. He believes nothing should hold them back. However, he acknowledges the difficulty of training athletes with upper limb deficiencies but he remains dedicated to training them. For these athletes, he takes on roles beyond that of a coach, acting as a parent, caretaker, and constant source of motivation. Lama prioritizes their emotional well-being and physical safety, maintaining a delicate balance throughout the training process.

Although his grandfather had hoped for him to join the British army, Lama couldn’t meet the height and weight criteria. Taekwondo, however, became his true calling and brought deeper purpose to his life. He has gained recognition as a coach within the National Sports Council and Taekwondo committee and Lama is grateful for all that he has and the path he has chosen.

Para Taekwondo began in Nepal in 2013 with the aim of promoting sports and inclusivity. As a coach, Lama first learns about the body structure of disabled athletes with upper limb deficiencies or amputations and helps them prepare mentally and physically before teaching them tactics and techniques for balance and winning kicks.

He finds joy in their success. He says he was proud when Shrijana Ghising won the Gold Medal in the Riyadh 2022 World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix Final against top-ranked opponents. Additionally, Lama reflects on Palesha Goverdhan’s historic achievement in becoming the first Nepali Paralympian to qualify for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. “My students never fail to impress me with their stamina and courage. I’m proud to be their couch,” he says.

Lama ensures his students are well-prepared for victory and inspires them to give nothing less than their best. He instills in them the ethos of representing their country without compromise or excuse. Win or lose, Lama encourages his students to embrace the outcome and learn lessons from every game. 

His devotion and coaching abilities have earned him fame and prestige, including the Best Coach Award from the Nepal Olympic Committee in 2022. But for Lama, true success lies in the achievements of his students. The ten medals they’ve won with his guidance show just how impactful his coaching has been.

His dedication stretches further than just coaching. He’s determined to raise the profile of taekwondo in Nepal, always busy with tasks like learning new international game rules, researching, attending seminars, and improving his coaching skills to nurture top-level athletes. Balancing training, volunteering, and other responsibilities leaves him feeling guilty for not spending more time with his family. But his family admires his sacrifices and efforts, and says he is a key player in Nepal’s victory in the international arena.

Lama believes every individual has a part to play in contributing to the country. “Our government should focus on hiring more coaches to improve professional sports,” he says. He emphasizes that coaches should be given good incentives so that they give it their all while training athletes. He also says he wishes for greater recognition of Nepalis athletes. At the moment, he’s working on getting Nepal to participate in more international games. He hopes to train more players who can bring back medals for the country.