With the Rain and Wind Coming, Pollution Disappears
Fireworks soaring into the sky marked the beginning of a surge in air pollution in 2024. However, in the second week of January, clean air became a regular visitor.
Wondering about the reasons behind this improved air quality? Let's examine the facts with data from the Nafas Sensor network.
Stormy Rain, Pollution Recedes
The early days of 2024 witnessed frequent heavy rains in the Jabodetabek region. Some were peaceful, while others were accompanied by strong winds and storms. It was the latter type of rain that led to the dispersion of pollution in the atmosphere, supporting improved air quality in many areas.
One noteworthy stormy rain event that contributed to the enhancement of air quality occurred in Alam Sutera on January 6th around 4:00 PM WIB.
Extreme weather played a crucial role in reducing the levels of air pollution. Data from the breath sensor in Alam Sutera indicated a low level of PM2.5 at 12 ug/m3, falling into the "Good" category.
Oppa & Eonnie Almost Exposed to Pollution
In the evening, air quality drastically deteriorated in another part of the Jabodetabek region, precisely in Ancol, North Jakarta.
On that night, the Golden Disc Award, a K-Pop awards ceremony, took place at the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS). Nafas sensor data revealed a significant increase in pollution shortly after the event ended at 10:00 PM until midnight.
The year 2024 demonstrates a pattern of fluctuating air pollution, sometimes sharply increasing but gradually improving with the assistance of heavy rain and sweeping winds dispersing pollution particles. The arrival of stormy rain brings a breath of fresh air by dispersing pollution in the atmosphere, while a South Korean music festival in Jakarta was almost affected by a surge in pollution that gradually subsided after the event concluded.
All of this underscores the importance of natural processes and environmental awareness in preserving our air quality, emphasizing the need for collective action to care for the environment for cleaner and healthier air for all.
Happy New Year 2024, and may clean air always accompany us all.
