Wider network of ‘Air Quality Early Warning System’ to alert Mumbaikars this winter | Mumbai News – Times of India

MUMBAI: Residents from across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) who were severely impacted earlier this year due to high levels of air pollution can now be better prepared for the upcoming winter season to combat the issue in any corner of the region.
Citizens can now access the Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) through the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) portal. This system collects data from a wide range of monitoring stations to provide real-time and forecasted information on pollution levels in the city.
A presentation on this topic was given at the India Clean Air Summit (ICAS) 2023, organized by the Centre for Study of Science, Technology, and Policy (CSTEP). CSTEP is one of India’s leading think tanks, committed to enriching policymaking with innovative approaches that utilize science and technology to create a sustainable, secure, and inclusive society.
A dedicated website (ews.tropmet.res.in/mumbai/index.php) compiles detailed historical information, real-time data, and forecasts on the contribution of PM2.5 and PM10 emissions across 24 locations in MMR.
While sharing details about the portal, Dr. Sachin Ghude, a Scientist at IITM, said, “Capturing PM2.5 levels of such unprecedented magnitude is a global rarity, and we faced considerable challenges in collecting such exceptional data from the city. Our AQEWS relies on pinpoint accuracy, starting with precise weather forecasts as a foundation.”
Addressing the session at ICAS 2023, Ghude explained that this portal will help citizens prepare and choose their activities during the winter season when air quality mostly deteriorates. “Using this site, the health impacts of severe air pollution can be avoided by citizens, especially senior citizens, children, or those vulnerable to respiratory ailments,” he added.
IITM has integrated satellite data on Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) – a measure of the effect of aerosol pollutants in the air – from an extensive network of 420 air quality monitoring stations across India for such early warning systems. These systems are currently present in Delhi, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Mumbai. “This innovative system holds immense potential as a decision support tool for effective air quality management,” Dr Ghude added.
Apart from government agencies utilizing sensors to monitor air quality, citizen participation using Low-Cost Sensors (LCS) will further aid in gathering data from multiple locations for an effective action plan. In the MMR, out of 24 monitoring stations within Greater Mumbai, there are 20 air quality monitoring stations. Some are located at Navy Nagar, Malad West, Borivali East, Deonar, Powai, Mulund West, Bandra Kurla Complex, and Chakala. The remaining four are in Mahape, Vasai, Nerul, and Kalyan.
Dr Pratima Singh, Senior Research Scientist in Air Quality at CSTEP, said, “More sensors are required to monitor every neighborhood. Citizen science can play a crucial role, with housing societies taking the initiative to install Low-Cost Sensors (LCS). Given the high accuracy and reliability of LCS, citizens can participate in reducing emissions themselves, becoming responsible for cutting down air pollution and eventually improving their health. Authorities can also cover more ground through LCS to mitigate air pollution problems in a shorter time frame.”
For this year’s ICAS event, CSTEP partnered with the Indian Aerosol Science and Technology Organization. ICAS2023 spotlighted pollution and its connections to climate change and various sustainable development goals (SDGs), aiding practitioners in aligning clean air goals with climate policies. Prioritizing clean air in the SDGs and India’s climate action policies is paramount, considering the acknowledged contribution of air pollution to climate change and the observed aggravating impacts of climate change.
“We are confident that ICAS has triggered an inclusive dialogue that transcends boundaries, ensuring that clean air becomes an intrinsic part of our nation’s development trajectory and climate policy,” Dr Jai Asundi, an executive said.