Study: Why Pollution Makes Winter Fog Thicker Over North India

On 9th January 2026, new research from Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras) revealed that air pollution above fog layers makes winter fog thicker and longer-lasting over the Indo-Gangetic Plain.

Why winter fog is a problem in north india?

  • Dense winter fog is common across the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
  • It severely reduces visibility for hours, affecting:
    • Aviation and rail traffic
    • Road safety
    • Daily life and economic activity
  • Fog episodes tend to last longer when air pollution is high.

What the Study Found

  • Scientists analysed 15 years of CALIPSO satellite data to measure aerosols above fog layers over the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
  • They defined AODFOG (Aerosol Optical Depth ....
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Ecology & Environment