Nasa satellite captures thick smog blanketing northern India and Pakistan
A satellite image shows a greyish layer of haze spreading across the Indo-Gangetic plains as winter pollution peaks in the region.
A NASA satellite has captured a thick layer of haze and smoke stretching across northern India and Pakistan, according to India Today.
The image, taken by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), shows the greyish haze spreading across the Indo-Gangetic plains from Pakistan through northern India.
The pollution is particularly visible across Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and adjoining regions, while the Himalayan mountain range remains visible in the north.
Red markers in the image indicate fire hotspots across the northwestern agricultural belt, which are consistent with ongoing agricultural residue burning.
Air quality in northwestern India and neighbouring Pakistan typically deteriorates every winter due to stubble burning, vehicular emissions, industrial activity and construction dust.
The situation is worsened by colder temperatures, calm winds and a shallow atmospheric boundary layer that prevent pollutants from dispersing.