New Delhi (NVI): Over a month into the lockdown, the country has witnessed a dramatic decline in air pollution levels, especially in northern India, which has been battling hazardous air for years.
North India, which also includes New Delhi, has seen a drastic drop on air pollution levels due to the coronavirus lockdown, according to a recent report by US space agency NASA.
Satellite data show that levels of airborne particles over northern #India have dropped significantly since the #COVIDー19 lockdown began. https://t.co/xz6NgbQLOW pic.twitter.com/aP0fi5vL64
— NASA Earth (@NASAEarth) April 21, 2020
The report suggests that aerosol levels in North India are at a 20-year low for this time of the year. NASA has also released satellite images showing aerosol levels in northern India during the same six-day period of March 31 to April 5 from 2016 to 2020.
Aerosols are tiny solid and liquid particles suspended in the air that reduce visibility and are harmful for human lungs and heart.
The majority of aerosols are produced by motor vehicles, coal-based powerplants, and other industries that produce nitrates and sulphates. With the lockdown bringing industrial operations traffic to a halt, there has been a significant drop in pollution levels, leading to clear skies and an improved air quality index.
Apart from the National Capital, the Indo-Gangetic plains also stretch across North India, which have the presence of two rivers– Ganga and Yamuna– both of which have suffered from high pollution levels due to sewage and tannery waste for years.
Interestingly, both these rivers, which also hold a spiritual significance in Hindu culture, have shown an improvement in their water quality during the lockdown. Recently, the Central government has also decided to monitor the lockdown impact on both rivers.
According to reports, water samples have been collected from Delhi for the Yamuna and all Ganga basin states, and are in the process of being analysed.
One of the primary reasons for this is no industrial activity or other human activities at ghats or along river banks.
Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer, Susanta Nanda today shared a video on Twitter showing clear waters of river Ganga at Rishikesh in Uttarakhand.
Ganga at Rishikesh, near the Lakshman jhoola on 24.04.2020.?
And all along we were searching for heaven…. pic.twitter.com/o6HzpNsFGC— Susanta Nanda IFS (@susantananda3) April 26, 2020
Similarly, the waters of both the rivers have also become much clearer at Prayagram in Uttar Pradesh.
India entered a 21-day lockdown to combat the spread of coronavirus on March 24 after it was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was further extended by 19 days on April 14 (to May 3) after recommendations from States and experts.
