Smog leads to surge in Solan temperature

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, June 11

The smog created by the forest fires and development activities like road construction, which emitted large quantities of dust, have led to an upsurge in the minimum and maximum temperatures in Solan town.

Figures secured from the Department of Environment Sciences (DoES) , Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, revealed that the town today recorded the maximum temperature of 37.5 degree C , which was the highest temperature recorded in June ever.

Similarly, the minimum temperature has also witnessed an upward trend from 13-14 degree C recorded earlier in June to 20 degree C witnessed today, informed Dr Satish Bhardwaj, Head of Department, DoES.

An analysis of the data secured from the university in the last one decade reveals that in 2012 the minimum temperature witnessed in Solan was 10.4 degree C in May while the maximum temperature of 36.5 degree C was witnessed in May in 2010. This year the maximum temperature recorded in May had reached 36.5 degree C.

Dr Bhardwaj said the smog, which contains suspended dust particles, prevents the outgoing radiation from going back and its cascading effect leads to warming of the atmosphere, thus causing an increase in the minimum as well as the maximum temperatures in the area.

With the Solan forest division witnessing 65 fire incidences from April 15 to June 10 where 700 hectares forest area had been burnt, the area was engulfed in smoke. Loss worth Rs 2,52,000 was suffered in forest fire incidences where even 58 hectares plantation area was lost. Smoke, which continues to billow from the hills after forest fires, creates smog which is a combination of smoke and atmospheric pollution.

The situation was further aggravated by the incessant construction activities like four-laning of the Parwanoo-Solan highway as plumes of smoke could be seen flying around from the excavated hills. Virtually no measures had been put in place by private company engaged in four-laning the highway to suppress dust.

“The forest fires coupled with development activities like construction of roads have created an umbrella of smog in the atmosphere. The high temperatures were slated to last for some more days with bleak chances of light showers which could bring temporary relief in few pockets” informed Dr Bhardwaj.

Worrisome

In 2012, the minimum temperature witnessed in Solan was 10.4°C in May while the maximum temperature of 36.5°C  was witnessed in May in 2010. This year the maximum temperature recorded in May had reached 36.5°C.