The bad air quality in the Indo-Gangetic plain continues to impact the health of North Indians. A primary reason for the poor air quality is Stubble Burning in the states of Punjab and Haryana. Every year, winters bring this problem into further spotlight. But, the pollution levels this December are comparatively better than in previous years.
After Diwali, the Air Quality in North India and Delhi swings between poor and severe levels. Along with stubble burning, high rates of pollution are another contributing factor to it. It is also known as ‘winter inversion’. In this phenomenon, cool air is trapped under a layer of warm air. This makes an atmosphere blanket. The trapped pollutants near the surface of the earth create a shortage of space to leave the atmosphere.
Lack of rain + Winter = adds to the pollution levels
The government has been taking several steps in recent years to reduce pollution levels. They have succeeded to some extent in curbing its impact. But, the high levels of pollution from vehicles and industrial and construction activities continue to make things worse. Also, the weather conditions aren’t supportive enough.
As per experts, there is a need to reduce the emission of pollution from these sources for reducing pollution levels. For this, even the Delhi government frequently orders a halt to construction activities in the capital in winter. Moreover, a few years back it implemented an odd-even policy to reduce the pollution emission from vehicles too.
Usually, the winter rain helps to disperse the pollution and offers some relief. But, the lack of winter rains this year has not offered any relief in the existing poor conditions.
Given the lack of rainfall, the winds have been slow and stable. They have not dispersed the pollution this year. Also, the temperature is dropping from 4°C to 10° C in the north Indian states.
For all these reasons, the North West winds have become heavy with moisture. Also, this has caused the concentration of pollution close to the earth’s surface.
Why is there a lack of rain in the winter months?
North India usually experiences rain in winter at this time of the year. There are nearly two bouts of winter rainfall. But, this year there has been a lack of winter rainfall. It’s related to the absence of Western Disturbances (WD). The WD sources from the Himalayan region.
The WD was a prime reason for scattered snowfall in the Western Himalayan region. Also, there was widespread rainfall in the nearby areas. Western Disturbances control the winter weather patterns in the northwestern plains.
At the same time, La Nina, which is an atmospheric phenomenon in the pacific ocean, also played a vital role. So, a lack of snowfall and rainfall has led to an increase in pollution levels.
Summing up,
Despite low pollution levels in comparison to previous years, North India has been breathing poor air quality. The lack of winter rainfall is a primary reason for the high pollution levels this year.
