Since the coronavirus outbreak began at the global level, one of the most discussed factors was the ‘temperature impact on Covid-19’.
Now with the virus gradually rising in India, the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) conducted a similar study.
And, it found 85 percent strong correlation between the temperature change and reduction of virus spread.
The study concluded that the rise of average day temperature resulted in a decline in the spread of coronavirus in select Indian cities.
This was observed in worst-hit states like Maharashtra and Karnataka as a whole.
The study was made on a mathematical model using the COVID-19 data from WHO and temperature data from Indian Meteorological Department.
The study measured the relation between average real-time day temperature, relative humidity with rising Covid-19 cases in these aforementioned states.
NEERI said a rise in average day temperatures from 25 degree Celsius and above resulted in decline of Covid-19 cases in these states.
The study also noted that social distancing measures have outweighed the benefits of environmental factors.
“We did not want to only focus on temperature and humidity and their effect on Covid-19 spread. Therefore, we also included social distancing in the research. Covid-19 is a highly contagious disease and India is a very populous country. Therefore, until social distancing is followed, the benefits of aspects like high temperature may not be visible,” says Hemant Bherwani, Scientist in the director’s research cell at the Center of Strategic Urban Management, NEERI.
