Status: Not Approved
HEAD: 24_Kol_KB_rain brought relief to pollution An early Tuesday morning shower swept across Kolkata like a natural cleanser, scrubbing layers of grime from the city’s tired skyline and delivering the best air quality it saw since November 3. The rain rinsed dust-laden tree leaves, soaked the parched topsoil that steadily released fine particles into the air, and settled road dust that stubbornly kept pollution levels elevated through a prolonged dry spell.
Moreover, road dust resuspension was neutralised,” said a pollution control board scientist. “The smart shower cleansed the thick layer of dust from the leaves, enhancing their ability to absorb pollutants from the ambient air. The long dry spell before Tuesday left the topsoil extremely dry and grassless in many areas, allowing fine particles to become airborne easily. Vehicular movement kept resuspending road dust, preventing the AQI from dipping below ‘moderate’ levels. Environmental experts noted that rain plays a dual role in pollution mitigation — washing particulate matter out of the air and binding loose dust to the ground. However, they cautioned that such relief is often temporary unless supported by sustained dust-control measures and increased green cover. For now, though, the city breathed easier. Under a freshly washed sky and visibly cleaner foliage, Kolkata experienced a reminder of what its air can be — and perhaps what it should aspire to year-round.