SMOG CONDITIONS IN PUNJAB

Ludhiana, November 9, 2017: Since the October 29, 2017 the following significant observation were recorded at the meteorological observatory of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana :

The sunshine hours are 0 hours (against a normal of more than 9 hours) , i.e., a consistently thick layer of smoke is present in the troposphere layer of the atmosphere.
The atmosphere is quite stable, i.e. wind velocity is as low as less than 1.5 km/hour since November 2, 2017.
The morning relative humidity has been nearly more than 90 to 98% (against normal of nearly 84%).
The smoke / aerosol particles in the atmosphere act as a seeding nuclei leading to the formation of condensed ice particles and hence the occurrence of SMOG can be seen in Punjab.

The primary pollutant particles suspended in the atmosphere over the past nearly two weeks become secondary pollutants under the influence of sunlight leading to the formation of dense smog. This type of smog is more harmful causing irritation / allergy of eyes, skin and bronchial infections.