Kolkata becomes third city to get early warning system to track air quality. The city now has its own Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) that will offer crucial real-time and forecast information on pollution levels. Delhi and Pune already have such a system in place.

• Developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), AQEWS was launched in Kolkata during the India Clean Air Summit (ICAS) 2023, organised by the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP).
• The AQEWS website provides immediate pollution readings as well as historical data related to PM2.5 and PM10 emission, thereby aiding in a deeper understanding of the city's pollution landscape.
• IITM scientist Sachin Ghude emphasised the global rarity of capturing PM2.5 levels of such magnitude and highlighted the challenges faced in gathering this data. The system's accuracy is rooted in precise weather forecast, ensuring reliable information for decision-makers.