Journal Article

FZJ-2022-03796

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Abrupt emission reduction during COVID-19 intensified the spring 2020 rainfall over India

Asutosh, A. (First author) ; Fadnavis, S. (Corresponding author) ; Chavan, P. ; Sabin, T. P. ; Müller, R.FZJ*

2022
Frontiers Media Lausanne

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/32177  doi:10.3389/fenvs.2022.911363

Abstract: The high level of aerosol pollution in South Asia has a measurable impact on clouds, radiation, and precipitation. Here, exploring multiple observational data sets and simulations of the state-of-the-art ECHAM6-HAMMOZ chemistry-climate model, we report that the reduction in anthropogenic emissions during the COVID-19 lockdown period has enhanced precipitation by 5–25% over India. This precipitation enhancement is the result of the combined effect of an enhancement in cloud cover, a reduction in aerosol induced cloud invigoration and dynamical changes. We observed that the increase in cloud cover was associated with a reduction in cloud base height and an increase in the effective radius of cloud particles which led to an increase in cloud water content. In response to sudden emission reduction, an anomalous northward moisture transport was observed adding convection and precipitation over the Indian region. Importantly, we show that there is an advantage of anthropogenic pollution reduction for water availability in addition to benefits of air quality, human health, and crop yield.

Keyword(s): Earth, Environment and Cultural Heritage (1st)

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Stratosphäre (IEK-7)

Research Program(s):

1. 2112 - Climate Feedbacks (POF4-211) (POF4-211)

Appears in the scientific report 2022

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