Effect of Seasonal Variations on Environmental Noise Levels in Urban Zones: A Case Study in Delhi City, India

Abstract

The paper presents the impact of seasonal variations on ambient noise levels of 26 sites in Delhi city and analyzes the correlation of different meteorological conditions with the environmental noise levels. The ambient noise data acquired by the real-time noise monitoring terminals established by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) at distinct zones throughout Delhi city for the year 2021 was utilized in the present study to understand the effect of the seasonal variation on environmental noise levels. As such there were no specific seasonal trend of environmental noise levels observed in the study. However, the majority of the sites exhibited higher noise levels in the summer and monsoon and lower noise levels in winter. No significant correlations were observed between meteorological parameters and environmental noise levels in Delhi city. In 2022, 69% of the sites showed increment from winter to summer, 46% from summer to monsoon, 27% from monsoon to autumn, 77% from winter to monsoon, 62% from winter to autumn, and 46% from summer to autumn. In 2023, 77% of the sites showed increment from winter to summer, 46% from summer to monsoon, 46% from monsoon to autumn, 62% from winter to monsoon, 65% from winter to autumn, and 35% from summer to autumn. The results of the current study shall be helpful for understanding a comprehensive insight of the consequences of change in the acoustic environment of distinct zones of the city with the variation in season and meteorological features.