Kolkata becomes the third Indian city to adopt an Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS)

Tags: Environment State News

Kolkata became the third Indian city to adopt the Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) to combat rising air pollution.

An Overview of the News

• The system, developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune, aims to address rising air pollution levels in urban areas.

• AQEWS in Kolkata uses an advanced sensor network to provide real-time monitoring of the Air Quality Index (AQI).

• AQI is a standardized measure of the level of air pollution, with a value ranging from 0 to 500.

• The system focuses on PM2.5 (particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller) levels, which is a major contributor to health problems due to its ability to enter the lungs.

Air pollution status in Kolkata:

• Kolkata is facing severe air pollution, which is mainly driven by pollutants like PM2.5.

• Recent AQEWS measurements show that the AQI is 74, which is expected to rise above 170 by 30 August.

• These forecasts highlight the urgency of tackling air pollution and emphasize the role of early warning systems.

Data Integration and Accuracy:

• AQEWS integrates data from the National Air Quality Network and satellite sources to generate accurate air pollution forecasts.

• The accuracy of the system was proved during the experimental phase that started in September 2022.

• The inclusion of data from 420 air quality monitoring stations across India ensures a comprehensive approach to the assessment of air quality.

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change - Bhupendra Yadav