COVID-19 lockdown effect on land surface temperature and normalized difference vegetation index

ABSTRACT

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has changed the human lifestyle just like a disaster in 2020. Many people died throughout the world due to its severe attack. Lockdown is the most common term used in today's life to prevent the adverse effect of COVID-19. However, during the lockdown period, a significant improvement in the urban environment was noticed in almost every part of the world. During the lockdown period, the decrease in the number of running vehicles and moving people on the road lowers the pollution level and it has a direct positive impact on the urban environment. The study examines the changes found in land surface temperature (LST) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) during the lockdown period in Raipur city, India with the earlier periods (2013–19) to compare the environmental status. The results indicate that the LST is reduced and NDVI is increased significantly during the lockdown period, and the negativity of the LST-NDVI correlation is increased remarkably. The study also shows a better ecological status of the city during the lockdown period. The study is useful for environmental strategists and urban planners. © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.