The coronavirus pandemic and ensuing lockdowns, which began taking effect from early March at the global level have resulted in sudden disruption of transport and industrial activity along with almost whole of social and economic life. The lockdowns have been done to contain the spread of the virus as well as gain time for ramping up coping strategies and mechanisms to manage health and economic hazards caused by the pandemic. The large scale curtailment of industrial activity has provided a window to register the effect of vehicular and industrial pollution on urban life. Dip in pollution levels have been reported from every part of the world implementing a lockdown. Some prominent names in the list of cities which have witnessed a drastic decrease in pollution are from China, western Europe and the Indian subcontinent.
Continue reading “Pandemic and A Dip in Air Pollution”