A STUDY OF AIR POLLUTION EPISODE OVER DELHI NATIONALCAPITAL REGION, INDIA DURING OCTOBER 29, 2016-NOVEMBER 03, 2016B. Singh, V. Gahlaut and H.N. DuttaAbstract Northern India has an increase in surface air pressure during winter; this causes the atmosphere to clearout, resulting in the production of significant surface inversions. High-pressure zones are also calm andwind direction changes only when a western disturbance enters the area. The wind is substantially strongerwhen there is a low-pressure system. As a result, the pollutants in northern India are regulated by a sequenceof high- and low-pressure weather situations. October 29, 2016, was when the wind direction unexpectedlyshifted from NW to NE and then to N. Wind speeds dropped from 1-6 km/h to near-calm during this time,which indicated the passing of a high-pressure zone, based on the readings of the pressure gauges. Pollutionfrom northern states was brought into the national capital region by a combination of low wind speed andthe windâs direction. NCR was clogged with high levels of particulate matter during Diwali celebrations,which were exacerbated by heavy traffic, factory production, and firecrackers. The grave situation persisteduntil the wind shifted directions and increased its velocity. On the monostatic acoustic radar installed atREMTech, Shamli, detected the persistence of a substantially raised layer over the region, implying thatvertical mixing of pollutants was severely harmed or limited. As a result of this state, pollutants accumulated,resulting in a severe bout of air pollution. The findings of this study details an incident of such air pollution happened over Delhi NCR. |