Environment News

Ozone Anomaly Over Bay of Bengal

August 12 , 2026 20 hrs 0 min 8 0

Scientists detected an unusually thick ozone layer at 21–23 km altitude over the North Bay of Bengal.
The ozone concentration was much higher than normal over eastern India, and the layer remained for more than 24 hours.
Scientists from ARIES (Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences), Nainital, and other Indian institutions studied the event under the Phase-I NetRAD-ASMA campaign.
The study used 206.5 MHz Stratosphere–Troposphere (ST) Radars, weather balloons, satellites and atmospheric models.
Observations showed persistent downward air movement in the lower stratosphere and transport of ozone-rich air.
Scientists concluded that horizontal ozone transport, downward movement and compression of air mainly caused the unusual ozone enhancement.