La Niña’s Triple Dip: A Cool Phenomenon’s Global Reach
“Triple-dip La Niña” refers to an unusually prolonged cooling of the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, lasting three consecutive northern winters. This rare event alters global weather patterns, impacting temperature, rainfall, and even air quality. While the effects vary by region, the “triple-dip” has been linked to increased rainfall in some areas and droughts in others. Understanding its unique influence helps us anticipate and prepare for its multifaceted impact.
A Breather For Delhi
2022-23 witnessed an unprecedented “Triple-Dip” La Nina event, impacting global weather patterns. It brought stronger westerlies, dispersing pollutants and leading to a surprising improvement in Delhi’s air quality compared to previous winters. This positive trend, however, didn’t last the entire season. Contrastingly, its effect on Mumbai was less clear-cut. While some improvement was observed, factors like local emissions and calmer winds contributed to increased pollution during certain periods. Overall, the impact seemed less significant compared to Delhi. Delhi’s Worrying Air Quality
Stubble Burning and Delhi’s Air Woes
Every winter, crop residue burning in neighboring states casts a smoky shadow over Delhi’s air quality. While not the sole culprit, it significantly contributes to rising PM2.5 and PM10 levels, harming human health and visibility. Estimates suggest it can increase PM2.5 by 50-75% and PM10 by 40-45% during peak burning season. Though wind patterns and other factors influence the impact, tackling stubble burning remains crucial for cleaner air in Delhi and surrounding regions.
While La Nina events are cyclical, understanding their potential influence on air quality can inform mitigation strategies. It’s important to remember that it’s just one factor affecting air quality. Addressing local emission sources, weather conditions beyond its influence, policy interventions and promoting sustainable practices all play crucial roles. They remain key to cleaner air for both Delhi and Mumbai.