A CASE STUDY OF DUST STORM EVENTS IN PAKISTAN USING NORMALIZED DUST DETECTION INDEX

Abstract

Currently dust storms are among the most prevalent global environmental issues. They are the early warning indicators for desertification and climate change. The study intends to analyse dust event in Pakistan using normalized dust detection index (NDDI), brightness temperature (BT) and MODIS data of aerosol optical depth (AOD), deep blue angstrom exponent (AE), aerosol index (AI) and HYSPLIT mass trajectory methods. It also highlighted the relationship between NDDI, BT and AOD. The threshold value of NDDI was 0.19 - 0.36 and BT ≤ 310.5 K. Data from CALIPSO, NCEP/NCAR reanalysis datasets were used to validate research’s findings. The results found NDDI and BT value for Pakistan and track the movement of dust storm from west to east especially at the height of 5-10km. Dust storms are inversely proportional to relative humidity and pressure.