Assessment of dust storm over northwest India on 23rd may 2022

Abstract

On 23rd May 2022, a significant dust storm impacted northwestern India (NWI), affecting parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and areas of Uttar Pradesh. The dust storm, associated with a strong convective system, had major environmental, health, and socio-economic effects. This paper discusses the meteorological conditions and trends of PM2.5 and PM10 during the event. Synoptically, it was found that a western disturbance (WD), along with its induced low-pressure area and cyclonic circulation, was active over NWI from 21st to 23rd May.

Dynamic parameters such as upper-level divergence (30-40 units), low-level convergence (15-20 units), and convective available potential energy (CAPE) (700-800 units), among others, created a favorable environment for dust storm events over the region. PW was 0 mm over the Pakistan region on the 22nd and 23rd, and the available data indicated that PW was in the range of 0-25 units, which was the lowest over regions such as North Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh (Fig. ). Consequently, dust from the Pakistan region was advected to NWI, and due to the lack of moisture, the instability fostered favorable inductive conditions for severe dust storm events over NWI.

Data from various cities in Uttar Pradesh, covering the period from May 22 to May 28, 2022, reveal key patterns that suggest the impact of dust storms on air quality. Dust storms typically cause sharp increases in particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) concentrations, particularly in regions prone to such natural events during the summer.