Breathless in Delhi

Thermal inversion adds to the suffocating atmosphere in the National Capital Region

- SATYEN MOHAPATRA

COME WINTER AND Delhiites get trapped in an unhealthy, suffocating atmosphere with dangerously high levels of air pollution. In some places of Delhi-NCR (National Capital Region), the Air Quality Index touches the alarmingly high level of 1,000, as officials and politicians look for scapegoats or try to adopt strict measures to check the spiralling pollution. What is galling is that the administrations—both at the Centre and in states like Punjab, Haryana and Delhi—allow the same situation to continue year after year, putting Delhiites, particularly the elderly and children, at risk.

But they may not be entirely to blame.

Vehicular traffic, stubble burning in states like Punjab and Haryana, construction activity, small scale industries—all contribute to the growth of pollution in Delhi. However, one factor which has been least emphasised is the regular weather phenomenon of ‘inverse thermal air’. It is virtually the essential condition for the kind of high levels of pollution seen for days on end by Delhiites. It is a phenomenon that occurs when the natural flow of hot and cold air is reversed.