Adverse weather adds to informal workers’ stress in Kathmandu

Suraj Thakuri, a 55-year-old construction worker in Kathmandu, finds himself pausing more frequently to catch his breath under the scorching sun. Sweat pours down his face as he lays tiles, a task that has become increasingly arduous. For workers like Thakuri, extreme heat is no longer just a seasonal discomfort. As temperatures rise and climate patterns shift, many informal workers in Nepal's capital report struggling to cope with deteriorating working conditions.

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I used to work continuously for hours a few years ago. Now I need frequent breaks because I cannot stay under direct sunlight for long. It becomes too hot, I feel dizzy and I often get headaches.

Scientists warn that the return of El Niño could trigger extreme weather events globally, leading to severe heatwaves, crop failures, and food insecurity. In urban centers like Kathmandu, outdoor workers, including construction laborers, street vendors, delivery riders, and farmers, are among the most vulnerable. Thakuri, who migrated to Kathmandu three decades ago, notes that he used to work continuously for hours but now requires frequent breaks due to dizziness and headaches caused by the intense heat. He worries about his ability to continue working as he ages, especially as winters also feel harsher.

Madhav Jogi, 45, who works at a scrap collection center, describes the summer heat inside his tin-roofed shelter as "suffocating," sometimes preventing him from sleeping at night. Shanti Maya Rai, a 37-year-old street vendor, has seen her income drop because she can no longer work during the hottest midday hours, despite this being when demand for her fruit is highest. She also contracted dengue last year, which she attributes to the city's poor drainage and waste management.

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In summer the heat inside the hut becomes suffocating. Some nights I cannot sleep inside because too many people stay there.

A recent study, "Hot Cities Make Hard Work Harder: Strengthening Health and Livelihood Resilience for Informal Workers in South and Southeast Asian Cities," found that 46 percent of surveyed internal migrant and informal workers in Kathmandu reported being negatively affected by extreme heat. The findings highlight the growing challenges faced by those in precarious employment as climate change intensifies.

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My income has dropped.