Rains reduce air pollution in city

Srikanth K, a weather blogger at Chennaiyil Oru Mazhaikkaalam, claimed that the winds during the monsoon season can clear up the pollution in the air. “Due to the winds, the pollution disperses. The rain can also bring down the effects of air pollution. In the northern part of the city, the air pollution is higher due to the industrial belt and the presence of thermal power plants. But over the next two months, with regular spells of rain, we will see a reduction in level of smog. Only when the rain stops – around January – the morning mist and pollution will again lead to smog,” he said. 

Dr Ranganathan, Lab Director of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, also concurred. “We monitored five locations and the particulate matter readings ranged from 41-87 microns per cubic metre of air. So, the pollution is within the permitted limits. Because of the rains, the amount of pollution in the air will reduce. The winds will also bring down the pollution levels. This is a natural phenomenon,” he said. 

Shweta Narayan, an activist who helps local communities monitor their environment, claimed that the rains don’t necessarily mean lesser pollution. “For sources like thermal power plants and cement plants, where there is higher particulate matter, they are advised to use water sprinklers to bring down the emission levels. However, in my experience, I have seen that rains have been used as an excuse for industries to increase their emissions. In cases like these, there is no respite from air pollution. In Ennore and Cuddalore, where the industries are highly concentrated, people complain about an odour in the air due to the presence of toxic gases. The pollution may come down due to the monsoon rains but this is only a temporary solution,” she concluded.