Since last many days pollution levels over Delhi and NCR remained on the lower side. Clear sky and pleasant weather conditions were highlights of Delhi. Now with the pre-Monsoon activity over most parts of Northwest India and the recent dust storm over Rajasthan on March 18, weather conditions have taken a detour from being nice.
During this season, whenever temperature increases and atmosphere becomes unstable, the formation of convective clouds that is known as Cumulonimbus clouds become more prominent. These clouds are capable of giving intense thundershower activities. But when atmosphere is relatively dry or less humid, that time dust storms or thunder storms normally results due to these clouds.
Mostly, West Haryana and Rajasthan are more susceptible to these dust storms. Northwesterly winds travel from these duststorm over Rajasthan and West Haryana to Delhi and NCR. These winds have in fact increased the levels of pollution over Delhi and NCR. But this spiked up levels of pollution won’t last long. Due to the continuous blow of northwesterly winds over Delhi and NCR, the finite particle of dust will be carried away resulting in a pollution free Delhi.
CHECK THE POLLUTION LEVELS OF DELHI HERE
For the time being, due to absence of any major weather system, dry weather is likely to prevail over the National Capital and adjacent areas. Temperatures will see a gradual rise leading to discomfort weather conditions.
Warnings by Environment Pollution Control Authority
In its comprehensive action plan, EPCA has warned about the much larger threat that secondary particulate matter possess. EPCA action plan stated, “A study by IIT Kanpur has revealed that primary pollutants like NO2 and SO2 undergo complex reactions in the atmosphere and form secondary particulate matter such as sulphates, nitrates and organic aerosols which are equally deadly.”
About 25% of Delhi’s PM 2.5 load is taken care by these secondary particulates. Particles such as sulphates, nitrates and organic aerosols form with the help of primary particles. Primary particles include SO2 and NO2 released from vehicles and industries.
EPCA’s action plan has proposed a stronger and stricter control over primary particulate sources such as traffic, industry emissions.
Image Credit: IndianExpress
Please Note: Any information picked from here must be attributed to skymetweather.com