Kathmandu, Dense haze has enveloped the Terai belt of Lumbini and Sudurpaschim provinces since Wednesday morning, reducing visibility and affecting daily activities. The Weather Forecasting Division said haze and fog are likely to persist across most Terai areas through the afternoon and into the night.

While high hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali provinces are expected to remain partly cloudy, air quality in the Kathmandu Valley has also deteriorated due to fog and pollution. Authorities have urged children, the elderly and people with respiratory problems to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities and take precautions until conditions improve.