Cold wave gripping Nepal: The way forward
Summary
Nepal is experiencing an intensifying cold wave particularly affecting the Tarai region, causing significant agricultural losses, increased health risks, and heightened mortality rates, exacerbated by pollution and fog. Efforts to mitigate impacts include local firewood distribution and proposals for low-cost thermal retrofitting technologies to improve living conditions.
Key Points
- Nepal's Tarai region is facing a worsening cold wave that has been increasing in duration since 2004, causing numerous deaths and agricultural losses.
- Pollution and fog significantly worsen the cold wave by reducing sunlight and trapping particulate matter, which increases health risks.
- Agricultural crops like potato, tomato, and wheat are severely affected by cold-related diseases and reduced productivity; livestock also suffers from respiratory issues and decreased milk production.
- Proposed solutions include using snake plant towers to reduce pollution and employing thermal retrofitting of buildings to create warmer indoor environments, aimed at mitigating the cold wave's impact.
