PREVIOUS
✖
Sunshine Hours Decline
October 13 , 2025
14 hrs 0 min
20
0
- Recent study has found a steady decline in India’s annual sunshine hours since 1988.
- The study was conducted by scientists from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), and the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
- Data from 1988 to 2018 across 20 meteorological stations in 9 regions showed a consistent drop in sunshine hours.
- The decline is linked to rising aerosol levels caused by urbanization, industrialization, and increased fossil fuel use since the 1990s.
- The northeastern region showed some seasonal levelling, but other regions saw significant sunshine drops, especially from June to July.
- Aerosols increase cloud cover by forming smaller, longer-living droplets, reducing solar radiation reaching the ground.
- Weather factors like cloudiness, intensified by aerosols, are also contributing to reduced sunlight over India.
Leave a Reply
Your Comment is awaiting moderation.