The recent study by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecast and Research (SAFAR) on post-Diwali air pollution in four major Indian cities has sparked concern. Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai experienced increased levels of pollution compared to 2020, while Pune was the only city to record a drop.
Post-Diwali Pollution: What the Data Says
According to SAFAR’s study, Delhi’s High Particulate Matter (PM) concentration after the Diwali festivities are attributable to a combination of local emissions and effects of biomass burning. Meanwhile, the three metropolises of Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai witnessed higher pollution levels than in the previous year, except for Pune, which recorded a decline.
Introducing SAFAR: India’s Air Quality Guardian
The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) introduced SAFAR as a national initiative to monitor air quality in metropolitan cities by assessing overall pollution and location-specific air quality. It is an essential component of India’s first Air Quality Early Warning System in Delhi, acknowledging parameters such as temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind speed and direction, UV radiation, and solar radiation.
Recognizing SAFAR: A Model of High Standards
The World Meteorological Organization recognizes SAFAR as a prototype activity due to its stringent adherence to high-quality control and standards in implementation. Pollutants continuously monitored include PM2.5, PM10, Ozone, Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Benzene, Toluene, Xylene, and Mercury.
The Creators: IITM and IMD
The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, developed the system, which the India Meteorological Department (IMD) operationalized. IITM has installed a large true-color LED (Light Emitting Diode) display, providing real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) updates on a 24×7 basis along with a 72-hour advance forecast.
Objectives: Education and Strategy
SAFAR aims to raise public awareness about air quality, encouraging appropriate mitigation and systematic actions. It also serves as a valuable tool for policy-makers to develop proactive strategies for improving air quality while considering the economic development of the nation.
The Impact: Multiple Beneficiaries
Several sectors stand to benefit from SAFAR’s efficient monitoring system. Sectors such as agriculture, aviation, infrastructure, disaster management, and tourism, all directly or indirectly get affected by air quality and weather, can leverage the system for informed decision-making.
Decoding AQI: A Health Barometer
AQI is a daily air quality reporting index that reveals atmospheric pollution changes. It underlines the health effects individuals might experience within hours or days of inhaling polluted air. The AQI monitors eight significant air pollutants: Ground-level ozone, PM10, PM2.5, Carbon monoxide, Sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide, Ammonia, Lead. Of these, ground-level ozone and airborne particles pose the most significant threat to human health in India.
It is clear that systems like SAFAR play a crucial role in tackling the menace of air pollution in India and are instrumental in shaping effective environmental policies and decisions.
Last Modified: February 13, 2024