The minimum temperature in Kathmandu dipped to 3.1 degrees Celsius on Friday, making it one of the coldest days of the season. Fresh snowfall in the surrounding high mountains has brightened the landscape, offering scenic views for residents of the Kathmandu Valley. As the skies clear and snow-capped peaks become visible, the chill intensifies, prompting locals to layer up in warm clothing to stave off the cold.
According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), temperatures are expected to drop further as winter peaks. On December 12, the valley’s temperature was recorded at 3.9 degrees Celsius, following a steady decline from 4 degrees on December 11 and 5 degrees on December 10, meteorologist Raju Pradhananga reported. He attributed the snowfall in the mountainous areas of Bagmati Province to a recent western trough system that brought moisture.
Elsewhere in the country, temperatures were even more extreme. On Friday, Jumla recorded a minimum temperature of -7.0 degrees Celsius, Jomsom 0.5 degrees Celsius, and Jiri -2.4 degrees Celsius. The significant drop in temperatures has led people across Kathmandu Valley and the Tarai region to adopt measures such as using electric heaters and indoor heating devices. Many residents, however, resort to making open fires to stay warm—a practice that raises environmental concerns, particularly in Kathmandu, where air pollution has been worsening.
The valley has been grappling with unhealthy levels of air pollution, with its Air Quality Index (PM2.5) remaining poor for weeks. Open burning during the dry season is expected to exacerbate this issue. To combat rising pollution, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has launched awareness campaigns urging residents to avoid open burning. Sarita Rai, Chief of the Environment Division at KMC, warned that individuals caught engaging in open burning will face on-the-spot fines of Rs. 10,000, with metropolitan police enforcing the regulation.
KMC has also intensified pollution control efforts by testing vehicle emissions and installing air quality monitoring devices at 18 locations across the city, a project expected to be completed by mid-December. In addition, KMC has declared the month of Poush (December/January) as “Air Pollution Awareness Month” to promote measures for controlling pollution and discouraging harmful practices like open burning.
Rai announced training programs for KMC’s chief sweepers, scheduled from December 16 to 19, to enhance awareness about air pollution. Similar training sessions will be held for landfill workers to ensure better waste management practices and reduce pollution levels.