Residents of Punjab’s Jalandhar are now able to view the mighty Dhauladhar mountain range located several kilometers away in Himachal Pradesh as the city’s air quality has improved due to the ongoing country-wide lockdown. (Photo: PTI)

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic is also being linked with cleaner air quality all over the world.

Latest satellite images from the European Space Agency show that India significantly decreased emissions during the ongoing 21 days shutdown, resulting in a significant loss of nitrogen dioxide spots in the atmosphere.

Scientists have observed a pattern which links a decreased level of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), with decreased human activities in an area. Nitrogen dioxide is usually emitted into the atmosphere as a result of human activities such as motor vehicles, power plants, and industrial facilities.

Satellite Imagery shows significant reduction in NO2 Levels in Indian atmosphere. Source: European Space Agency

Earlier, a depleting nitrogen dioxide level over China and later over Europe was linked to the implementation of shutdowns in those areas. Both Nasa and European Space Agency (ESA) experts link the decrease in NO2 levels with an effective decrease in machine-run activities in these areas.

Impact on India

Satellite data from the European Space Agency shows that there is a significant reduction in NO2 levels. A comparative analysis of satellite images between March and April of this year show a significant reduction in nitrogen dioxide levels.

A similar comparison between the year on year imagery also shows a sharp decline of the NO2 level above the Indian airspace.

This shows that the shutdown has been effective enough to reduce the overall human activities in India, resulting in a visible change in the outside atmosphere.

The nationwide 'Janta Curfew' followed by the 21-day lockdown to combat the coronavirus outbreak has led to a significant reduction, a Central Pollution Control Board report has stated.

Travel restrictions and closure of industries have helped reduce the pollution level, it said.

"The major sectors contributing to air pollution are transport, industries, power plants, construction activities, biomass burning, road dust resuspension and residential activities. In addition, certain activities such as the operation of DG sets, restaurant, landfill fires, etc. also contribute to air pollution," the pollution watchdog said.

"As a result of stringent travel restrictions and shutting down of non-essential activities including those of air polluting sectors, air quality improvement has been noted in many towns and cities across the nation," it added.