This winter most polluted for Maharashtra and Gujarat in last 4 years: CSE report

This winter most polluted for Maharashtra and Gujarat in last 4 years: CSE report

Subject :Environment

Section: Pollution

Context: The last winter (2022-23) turned out to be the most polluted one for Maharashtra and Gujarat in the previous four years, revealed a new analysis by the Delhi-based non-profit Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

More on the News:

• The average winter pollution level in the cities of Maharashtra rose by 13 per cent compared to the mean of the previous three winter seasons. Winter pollution has been rising in Maharashtra on a yearly basis and stood at 66 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) this winter, the study found.
• Winter pollution has been on a decline in Gujarat since 2019, but it spiked up this winter. In absolute terms, Gujarat was the more polluted of the two states, with a winter average of 73 µg/m3. Gujarat registered an increase of 6 per cent compared to the mean of the previous three winters.
• The regional influence of pollution is sharply evident in the synchronised spread of winter pollution across the cities.

Analysis:

• In these states, winter pollution typically sets in during late November and early December, when the cooler and calmer conditions trap local pollution.
• In the western regions experience temperature inversion, which occurs when the surface temperature in the surrounding regions is lower than the air temperature. As a result, pollutants get trapped closer to the ground, leading to a significant rise in PM 2.5 levels.
• Overall, winter amplifies the effects of various sources of pollution, including industrial emissions, vehicular exhaust, and agricultural burning, leading to a significant rise in PM 2.5 levels. The geographical phenomena, including temperature inversion and the direction of the wind, play a crucial role in exacerbating the pollution levels during winter in various regions of India.

Causes of Air Pollution in Delhi https://optimizeias.com/soon-delhis-air-pollution-sources-to-be-available-in-real-time/