Categories: Latest News

Unprecedented La Nina event alters winter air quality trends in India: Study

Share this story

Representational Image. (Photo by grayom on Unsplash)

A recent study suggests that an unprecedented triple-dip La Nina event, exacerbated by climate change, led to an unique air quality shift during the 2022-23 winter season in India. The research, led by Gufran Beig, chair professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, highlighted the significant impact of rapidly changing climate alongside local emissions on air quality.

Published in the Elsevier Journal, the study reveals a surprising contrast between northern and peninsular India. While air quality improved in the north, peninsular cities experienced a rise in pollution levels during the winter season.

Also read: Monitoring gaps in air quality across Indian cities emerge

Ghaziabad, Rohtak, and Noida in north India exhibited notable improvement, with a 33 per cent, 30 per cent, and 28 per cent reduction in pollution, respectively. Even Delhi, a critical and landlocked city, showed a 10 per cent improvement. On the other hand, Mumbai saw the highest deterioration with a 30 per cent increase in PM2.5 levels, followed by cities like Coimbatore (28 per cent), Bengaluru (20 per cent), and Chennai (12 per cent).

The study links this unusual pattern to the triple-dip La Nina event, a first in the 21st century, which was influenced by climate change. RH Kripalani, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and co-author of the report, explains, “This phenomenon impacted the large-scale wind pattern, preventing stagnation conditions in north Indian cities, thus improving air quality. However, it led to calmer conditions in peninsular cities, resulting in transboundary pollution and deteriorating air quality.”

To validate their findings, scientists used the advanced NIAS-SAFAR air quality forecasting model, incorporating a chemical-transport model and modern artificial intelligence algorithm. Beig emphasises the importance of acknowledging such extreme occurrences in air pollution as manifestations of climate change, urging a long-term strategy to reduce anthropogenic emissions for improved air quality and climate change mitigation.

(with agency inputs)


Share this story
CityBuzz Click Staff

Recent Posts

Blinkit launches 10-minute ambulance service in Gurgaon

Representational Image. (Image by Alina Kuptsova from Pixabay) Gurgaon: Blinkit, the instant delivery platform, has…

2 months ago

Delhi police busts illegal immigration syndicate, 4 arrested

Representational Image. (Photo by Shubham Sharma on Unsplash) Delhi Police have dismantled a syndicate facilitating…

2 months ago

Mumbai ANC busts drug syndicate, seizes narcotics worth Rs 1.65 crore

Mumbai Police's Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) seized cocaine, mephedrone and codeine valued at Rs 1.65 crore…

2 months ago

OPSC invites applications for 151 Assistant Industries Officer posts: how to apply

Representational Image. (Photo credit: Pixabay) The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has invited applications for…

2 months ago

Mumbai police nab key suspect in Rs 1.91 crore jewellery robbery from Agripada

Representational Image. (Photo credit: Pixabay) Mumbai: In a major breakthrough, Mumbai Police have arrested Vinod…

2 months ago

Bhubaneswar sees spike in crime cases, Cuttack registers decline in 2024: police report

Representational Image. (Photo by seeetz on Unsplash) Crime cases in Odisha's capital city, Bhubaneswar, witnessed…

2 months ago