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Kalanaur, a small city nestled within the Punjab plains of India at coordinates 32.0100°N, 75.0900°E, presents a unique geographic context influencing its air quality. The city’s terrain is largely flat, characteristic of the Indo-Gangetic Plain, with an elevation hovering around 240 meters. This flatness contributes to limited natural dispersion of pollutants. Kalanaur is situated within a predominantly agricultural region, heavily reliant on farming, particularly wheat and rice cultivation. The surrounding landscape is dominated by intensely cultivated fields, with pockets of deciduous forests further afield. The proximity to the Beas River, while providing irrigation, also contributes to localised humidity and potential for temperature inversions, trapping pollutants. The urban-rural gradient is relatively sharp; Kalanaur itself is a compact urban centre, but quickly transitions to rural farmland. While not a major industrial hub, the presence of small-scale brick kilns and agricultural processing units within and around the city contribute to particulate matter emissions. The city’s location within the Indo-Gangetic Plain, a known hotspot for air pollution, means it’s susceptible to long-range transport of pollutants from larger urban centres and seasonal crop residue burning.

Kalanaur experiences a distinct seasonal air quality pattern. The post-monsoon season (October-November) is typically the most polluted, coinciding with the burning of rice paddy stubble in surrounding agricultural lands. This practice releases massive amounts of particulate matter, severely degrading air quality. Shallow temperature inversions during cooler months further exacerbate the problem, trapping pollutants near the ground. Winter (December-February) sees consistently poor air quality due to stagnant air and continued emissions from household heating and industry. March-April brings some improvement as temperatures rise and winds pick up, but dust storms can temporarily worsen conditions. The monsoon season (July-September) offers the cleanest air, as rainfall effectively washes away pollutants and strong winds disperse emissions. However, increased humidity can also promote the formation of secondary pollutants. Sensitive groups – children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions – should avoid strenuous outdoor activity during October-February. March-April requires caution during dust storm events. The monsoon months offer the most favourable conditions for outdoor activities, though vigilance regarding waterborne diseases is still necessary.