Bhopal Gas Leak: A Numerical Investigation of the Prevailing Meteorological Conditions

Abstract

A three-dimensional mesoscale model was used to understand the meteorological conditions and the influence of the terrain on the local flow pattern during the Bhopal methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leak. The study reveals that under the prevailing conditions of weak wind and strong stability the lakes in Bhopal influenced the local circulation significantly and caused northwesterly flow near the surface. The modified flow pattern resulted in the transport of MIC into the city area of Bhopal. However, with the increase in the ambient synoptic wind, the role of the lakes was found to diminish. Further, the other topographical features such as the hillocks in and around the city and the gently rolling terrain toward the southeastern sector of the city seem to have played a secondary role in influencing the meteorological conditions on the episodic night.