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