Click it and Unblock the Notifications
Delhi NCR is facing a severe air pollution crisis due to persistent smog. While there was slight relief on Monday and Tuesday, the overall situation remains grim. Experts say the only hope for improvement lies in rainfall, which naturally washes pollutants out of the air. However, this season has seen no rain at all. Between October 1 and November 19, Delhi recorded zero rainfall, and there's no sign of relief as rain remains distant.
Why Winter Worsens Pollution
During winter, a phenomenon called winter inversion worsens air pollution. Cooler air near the ground becomes dense and gets trapped under a layer of warmer air above. This acts like a lid, preventing pollutants from dispersing into the atmosphere. Since the air in this lower layer, known as the planetary boundary layer, is thin during winter, pollutants have limited space to mix and spread, causing the air quality to deteriorate.
Impact of Falling Temperatures
Delhi has also seen a significant drop in temperatures due to persistent fog, which further contributes to pollution. "When temperatures drop, the atmosphere becomes stagnant, preventing the vertical mixing of air. This allows pollutants to accumulate near the surface," explains Dr. V. Vinoj from IIT Bhubaneswar.
Meteorologists predict that temperatures in Delhi will fall even further in the coming days, driven by cold north-westerly winds. This will make it harder for pollutants to disperse. "The colder it gets, the thicker the inversion layer becomes. A thicker inversion layer blocks sunlight and wind, preventing pollution from dispersing," says Mahesh Palawat, a weather expert.
The Role of Western Disturbances
Rainfall in North India is influenced by Western Disturbances, but these have been weak this year. Some rain and snow have occurred in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, but they haven't reached the northern plains. Without rain, pollutants stay in the air longer, creating early smog conditions.
Climate Change's Growing Impact
Climate change is making things worse. It is altering rainfall and atmospheric patterns, especially over the Indo-Gangetic Plains, where Delhi lies. "Climate change has already disrupted rainfall patterns and intensified pollution," says Dr. Sagnik Dey from IIT Delhi. He adds that rising global temperatures are changing the frequency and intensity of Western Disturbances, further reducing rainfall over Delhi.
What Can Be Done?
Experts stress that controlling emissions is the most urgent solution. "If emissions are not reduced, pollution will continue to worsen, and climate change will multiply its effects," warns Dr. Dey.
Delhi's air quality crisis highlights the urgent need for action on emissions and climate change, as well as better preparation for the challenges posed by winter weather patterns.
