Most advanced system of Air Quality & Weather Forecast inaugurated

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, Environment, Forest & Climate Change Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on July 21, 2018, unveiled a state-of-the-art Air Quality and Weather Forecast System SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting) at Chandni Chowk in Delhi. The giant true colour LED display gives out real-time air quality index on 24×7 basis with colour coding along with 72-hour advance forecast.

The system, first of its kind in the country, was developed indigenously in record time by Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, and operationalised by India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The minister said based on the Air Quality Index on a particular day, Health advisory and related precaution will be notified to prepare citizens well in advance. Dr Harsh Vardhan added that in addition to monitoring and forecasting of regular air quality and weather parameters, the Chandni Chowk Air Quality Station will also measure sun’s UV-Index and will provide measurement of online automatic ultrafine particles PM1 and Mercury, both of which have direct relevance to human health. Based on UVI, skin advisories will be issued on display.

“Our mission model project SAFAR is implemented in four cities of India – Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad as an operational service. According to a preliminary economic assessment of the benefits of the system, if 5% of people suffering from air-pollution related diseases take advantage of the advisories and precautions in Delhi alone, it would result in a saving of nearly Rs 2,500 crore in terms of health-related cost benefit,” said Dr Harsh Vardhan addressing a large gathering at Town Hall, Chandni Chowk.

The system will be an integral part of India’s first Air Quality Early Warning System operational in Delhi and will strengthen the existing air quality network of SAFAR, Central Pollution Control Board and Delhi Pollution Control Committee.

SAFAR will accelerate public awareness and preparedness of air pollution and weather extremes. It will also lead to better understanding of linkages among emissions, weather, pollution and climate. It will monitor all weather parameters like temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind speed and wind direction, according to a PIB release.

In addition to regular air quality parameters like PM2.5, PM10, Sulfur Dioxide, Ozone, Nitrogen Oxides, Carbon Monoxide, the system will also monitor the existence of Benzene, Toluene and Xylene.