Spatio-temporal variability of lightning activity over J&K region and its relationship with topography, vegetation cover, and absorbing aerosol index (AAI)

摘要

Spatio-temporal variation of lightning activity over the Jammu and Kashmir province has been studied in the present research using LIS data for the period of 12 years (2001-2013). In addition, the association of lightning activity with the elevation range, vegetation cover, and absorbing aerosol index (AAI) has been studied using the LULC data of MODIS, elevation data of SRTM DEM and multi-sensor AAI data (GOME-1, SCIAMACHY, GOME-2 and OMI). It was observed through the analysis of data sets that the J&K region which lies in the Himalayan range experiences very high frequency of lightning occurrences in entire India. The lightning frequency is much higher towards the south-western side of J&K region at an altitude range of 300-1600 m. It was observed that the mixed forests and croplands contribute more towards the higher occurrence of the lightning activity. Furthermore, it has been discerned that there is a positive correlation between the Mean Monthly flash density (FD) and Mean Monthly Absorbing aerosol index (AAI) with a correlation coefficient of 0.61 and an increase in FD and AAI was observed in summer months and decreases towards the onset of spring to winter. The comparison between the AAI and FD indicates that the spatial distribution of the two components has alike features over southwestern portion, with maximum values in the summer months and decrease upto the winter season. The findings of the present study suggest that the elevation range, Absorbing Aerosol Index along with the type of LULC plays an important role in a linkage with the occurrence of higher lightning activities in J&K region.