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Bengaluru residents have been bundling up earlier than usual this year, as temperatures in the city dip unexpectedly ahead of the typical winter season. Minimum temperatures over the past few days touched 16°C, marking an unusually early onset of winter, typically expected in December. La Niña, characterized by cooler-than-normal Pacific Ocean surface temperatures, is playing a key role in this early chill, according to meteorologists. However, Bengalureans are having to carry their masks along with sweaters when they leave their homes. The colder weather is bringing more than a nip in the air — it’s impacting Bengaluru’s air quality. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) on November 25 was recorded at 116. As of today, areas such as Hebbal, Jayanagar and Silk Board have recorded air quality indexes over 100, according to the <keyword id="19920691" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CPCB" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="CPCB" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="CPCB">CPCB</keyword>. While this moderate AQI is not nearly as damaging as the kind of air pollution in Delhi-NCR, it could still spell trouble for certain groups, such as children and individuals with respiratory issues. <h2>Why winters worsen the AQI </h2>The winter weather exacerbates the problem of air pollution due to a phenomenon known as thermal inversion. In colder months, a layer of warm air traps cooler air below, preventing the dispersion of pollutants from vehicles, industries, and construction activities. With high humidity and low wind speeds further stalling pollutant dispersal, particulate matter (PM2.5) levels rise, worsening respiratory health risks and reducing visibility. Adding to the woes are Bengaluru's ongoing challenges with vehicular emissions, construction dust, and industrial pollution, which remain major contributors to deteriorating air quality. While residents are advised to check AQI levels regularly and take precautions such as wearing masks or using air purifiers, there’s hope on the horizon. The city is expected to receive rainfall on November 26 and 27, which could help improve air quality by washing away pollutants. As Bengaluru adjusts to an unusually cold and challenging start to winter, these shifts highlight the need for sustainable urban planning and stricter emissions controls to balance its climatic allure with its air quality concerns.

Bengaluru welcomes winter early; decline in air quality expected

<ul><li>On March 22, as many as 1.3 billion Indians stayed in their homes to observe ‘<keyword id="6170457" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="janta-curfew">Janta curfew</keyword>’ in the wake of <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword>. </li><li>Bengaluru, Kolkata, Delhi and Lucknow witnessed a cleaner air with <keyword id="2071721" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-Quality-Index">Air Quality Index</keyword> (AQI) staying in two digits. </li><li>PM 2.5 levels in Delhi halved in 12 hours of the lockdown. </li><li>The pollution levels in Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar in UP soared despite the curfew, commercial shutdown and vehicles off the road.</li></ul>As many as 1.3 billion Indians stayed in their homes, watching birds, pigeons fly across clear blue skies and animals moved around freely on the roads — all in the wake of Coronavirus. During the one-day lockdown, air quality levels improved significantly across the country on Sunday (March 22), thanks to empty streets and closed markets. 
 
 
 <div type="image" title="Mumbai: City streets wear deserted look during Janta Curfew in the wake of deadl..." msid="74768605" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;City streets wear deserted look during Janta Curfew in the wake of deadly coronavirus, in Mumbai. PM Modi proposed a &amp;#39;Janta curfew&amp;#39; between 7 am and 9 pm as part of social distancing to check the spread of the deadly virus. The number of coronavirus cases across the country rose to above 320 on Sunday.Photo/Kunal Patil)(&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>







 Air Quality Index improves significantly Bengaluru, Kolkata, Delhi and Lucknow witnessed a cleaner air as the Air Quality Index (AQI) stayed within two digits. In Kolkata, at 2:50 PM, air quality remained ‘satisfactory’, as per the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) — while Bengaluru’s AQI dropped down to 60 in some of the most crowded areas. "The other side of the Coronavirus outbreak is lower emission of pollutants in the air due to near-total shutdown, with a few very vehicles plying the roads" the board officials said. 
 
 
 <div type="image" title="New Delhi: Signature Bridge wears a deserted look during &amp;#39;Janta curfew&amp;#39; in the w..." msid="74768451" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Signature Bridge wears a deserted look during &amp;#39;Janta curfew&amp;#39; in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, in New Delhi. PM Modi proposed a &amp;#39;Janta curfew&amp;#39; between 7 am and 9 pm as part of social distancing to check the spread of the deadly virus. The number of coronavirus cases across the country rose to above 320 on Sunday.Photo/Kamal Kishore)(&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>







 The air quality index in Lucknow too stood at 61 by Sunday noon, which otherwise clocks anywhere around 200. “Many of the actions the people are taking to fight the Coronavirus, like self-imposed ‘curfew’ or working from home, will have an additional benefit of reducing carbon footprint, besides breaking the virus transmission chain. This will help in reduction of individual’s production of greenhouse gases thus significantly curbing emission. This in turn could help in improving the air quality,” <a href="https://www.dailypioneer.com/2020/india/anti-virus-steps-clean-air.html">said</a> Narendra Nath, Scientist at the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board. By 1 PM, air pollutants in Delhi halved in 12 hours of the lockdown 
 
 
 <div type="image" title="New Delhi: Deserted street outside Jama Masjid during Janta curfew in the wake o..." msid="74768485" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Deserted street outside Jama Masjid during Janta curfew in the wake of deadly coronavirus, in New Delhi. PM Modi proposed a &amp;#39;Janta curfew&amp;#39; between 7 am and 9 pm as part of social distancing to check the spread of the deadly virus. The number of coronavirus cases across the country rose to above 320 on Sunday.Photo/Kamal Kishore)(&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>







 On the other hand, air pollutants in Delhi’s air which was at 126 micrograms per cubic metre at 1 AM, went down by almost halved in just 12 hours at 1 PM. It finally went down to 33 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Meanwhile, the data by the Centre for Science and Environment shows that the NO2 concentration, which is primarily due to the industries and vehicle emissions, also reduced by over 40% by late evening compared to the previous day. “We are yet to analyse the 24-hour change, but the 12-hour average from 8 am to 8 pm on Saturday and Sunday showed a dip in both PM2.5 and NO2,” Anumita Roy Chowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy, CSE <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/as-vehicles-go-off-road-pm2-5-comes-down-by-nearly-4-times/articleshow/74765141.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">told</a> the Times of India. By 4 pm, the AQI in the national capital, one of the most polluted in the country, showed ‘moderate’ — after a long time. The ‘sounds of silence’ And there was physical evidence of nature enjoying the lockdown too. Flocks of pigeons fluttering around in Connaught Place, a silent peaceful sight at India Gate — which is otherwise crowded with over 50,000 people — and the Marine Drive looked like never before. Such was the impact of the ‘Janta curfew.’ 
 
 
 <div type="image" title="New Delhi: A deserted view of Connaught Place during Janta Curfew in the wake of..." msid="74768509" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;A deserted view of Connaught Place during Janta Curfew in the wake of the deadly novel coronavirus, in New Delhi. PM Modi proposed a &amp;#39;Janta curfew&amp;#39; between 7 am and 9 pm as part of social distancing to check the spread of the deadly virus. The number of coronavirus cases across the country rose to above 320 on Sunday.Photo/Ravi Choudhary)(&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>







 “Marine Drive, Mumbai, this morning...this is what national discipline means. Jai Hind,” Amitabh Bachchan said in a tweet. 
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="CPMumbaiPolice" handlename="CP Mumbai Police" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1234754445600317441/jryKFvFF_normal.jpg" favoritecount="9381" retweetcount="1765" status="“Mumbai never stops”, they say! Well, it’s not entirely true though. Mumbai knows when to keep going and just a… https://t.co/RZisBoaEA0" createdat="1584868171000" id="1241653221195538432"></div>







 Meanwhile, in a few parts of Uttar Pradesh While the lockdown cleansed the environment at most places, the pollution levels in Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar in UP soared despite the curfew, commercial shutdown and vehicles off the road. The AQI in Ghaziabad, Greater Noida and Noida showed ‘poor’, and ‘moderate’ levels, at 237, 224 and 176, respectively, according to CPCB. 
 
 
 <div type="image" title="Ghaziabad: Hindon elevated road wears a deserted look during &amp;#39;Janta curfew&amp;#39; in t..." msid="74768549" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Hindon elevated road wears a deserted look during &amp;#39;Janta curfew&amp;#39; in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, in Ghaziabad. PM Modi proposed a &amp;#39;Janta curfew&amp;#39; between 7 am and 9 pm as part of social distancing to check the spread of the deadly virus. The number of coronavirus cases across the country rose to above 320 on Sunday.Photo/Arun Sharma)(&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>







 However, the officials in the state expect a dip during the lockdown period. “High levels of pollution levels have been recorded in the two districts since the start of winter. When all business and industrial establishments are shut and vehicles are off roads, the pollution levels will come down. It may take some time for pollutants to get dispersed,” environmentalist Akash Vashishtha <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pollution-soars-despite-janta-curfew-dip-expected-during-lockdown/story-OntO4k3xe5tbr3e9ReXJiK.html">told</a> the Hindustan Times. The havoc Coronavirus has caused 
 
 
 <div type="image" title="Jammu: Students wear masks as prevention against coronavirus during school assem..." msid="74768563" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Students wear masks as prevention against coronavirus during school assembly, in Jammu.Photo)(&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>







 The pandemic has caused seven deaths so far in India and the total number of active Coronavirus cases rose to 359, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. On the flipside, China — which was first hit by the virus — has reported no new infections on the third consecutive day (March 22). According to the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/coronavirus-kiran-mazumdar-shaw-wants-the-modi-government-to-buy-more-ventilators-shes-even-telling-them-where-to-shop-and-for-how-much/articleshow/74747336.cms">government statistics</a>, India has already supplied 15 tonnes of medical aid — masks, gloves and other emergency equipment — to China worth ₹2.1 crore.

Nature breathes as India goes into lockdown for a day, air quality improves in top Indian cities

New Delhi, Dec 15 () Leading air purifier makers witnessed up to 60 per cent jump in sales in the peak season, mainly October and November, this year, helped by growing pollution levels and steep rise in air quality index (AQI) in Delhi-NCR and northern region.
 Air purifier makers like Philips, Blueair, Panasonic, Eureka, Forbes, Sharp, Xiomi and Blue Star reported high double-digit jump in sales.
 Besides Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), the companies also saw higher demand from tier-II cities like Lucknow and Kanpur. 
 The norther region contributes more than half of the sales of air purifiers.
 While Delhi-NCR continued to top sales chart for air purifiers, this year also saw some of the companies reporting higher number of sales from markets like Kerala and North East.
 "This year, the air purifier market in India stood at Rs 450 crore and we have witnessed a strong surge in air purifier penetration, recording a 60 per cent growth over last year till date," Philips Personal Health, Indian Subcontinent Vice-President Gulbahar Taurani said.
 Sharp sold around 15,000 units in the month of October and November this year.
 "Sharp witnessed 27 per cent growth in sales in these two months," Sharp Business Systems India President Consumer Electronics Kishlay Ray said.
 "This year, we have witnessed sales of our air purifier in strange markets where we never thought pollution is an issue. For example, Kerala and North East (which accounted for nearly 3 per cent of our total sales), apart from well-known pollution hotspots like Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata and so on," he added.
 Similarly, Eureka Forbes also reported a 30 per cent growth, its Chief Transformation Officer Shashank Sinha said.
 "The air purifier market was dominated by one market predominantly that is Delhi-NCR, followed by certain non-metros which did fairly well during the peak season," Sinha added.
 While the market for room air purifiers is in a nascent stage, limited to some key metro cities a few years ago, it has now started expanding to smaller cities.
 FMCG major Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL), which operates in air purifier category with its brands Blueair and Pureit, also saw a double- digit growth.
 "We have seen a healthy double-digit growth during the peak season this year. More than 70 per cent of our sales still come from the north region," a HUL spokesperson said.
 "While the category is nascent in smaller towns, we have seen signs of demand picking up in tier II towns in north India," he added.
 With the rise in air pollution, the companies believe that air purifiers are gradually becoming a lifestyle product and are likely to see sales throughout the year by shedding the tag of being a seasonal product.
 According to Xiaomi India Head - Categories and Online Sales Raghu Reddy, "The response to air purifiers has been overwhelming and positive throughout the year owing to the fact that today it has become a necessity for Indian consumers."
 "We have noticed a trend of awareness and acceptance of the poor air quality and environmental issues than before. Today, people are pro-actively taking precautions and improving the quality of indoor air that they are breathing."
 Panasonic India General Manager, Air Purifier Business Syed Moonis Ali Alvi said, "With the rise in pollution levels, backed by the increasing awareness and growing preferences for health and wellness products, air purifiers have become a part of our lifestyle today."
 According to market experts, the segment is growing at around 15 to 20 per cent annually and more than 15 companies are operating in the space.
 However, Blue Star, which witnessed 25 per cent growth in the segment, cautioned about the quality of products being sold in the market and demanded that its standards should be defined and regulated.
 "Air purifiers are sold from Rs 800 to Rs 57,000 in the market. Someone has even put charcoal and is selling it as room air purifier," Blue Star Managing Director B Thiagarajan said.
 "This should be treated as health care product and should be regulated. There should be some certification," he added.
 According to him, some of the makers are simply importing products without understanding the market.
 "In this chaos which is going on, suddenly one week or 10 days after stubble burning, people are buying it," he said, adding that it is very important to assure the people that the air is being purified.
 According to Assocham-TechSci Research report published in February 2019, air purifiers are among the fastest growing products in home appliances space. KRH RVK

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Bengaluru welcomes winter early; decline in air quality expected

BI India Bureau

Nature breathes as India goes into lockdown for a day, air quality improves in top Indian cities

Prerna Sindwani

Air purifier sales see up to 60 pc spike on rising air pollution

PTI

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