Cyclone Arnab Brings Brief Air Relief to Kolkata Before Festivals
Kolkata, October 28
Cyclone Arnab has brought a brief respite to Kolkata's air quality. On Wednesday morning, the city's Air Quality Index dropped significantly, falling well below the high readings of the previous day.
Experts, however, have warned that the improvement may not last long. With Kali Puja and Diwali approaching, pollution levels are likely to rise again once celebrations begin in earnest.
Kolkata's air quality usually starts to decline before these festivals arrive, and pollution begins to accumulate even before people burst firecrackers. In previous years, the AQI often crossed 200 around this time. This year, the situation is different, as pollution levels have remained comparatively low.
On Wednesday, the city recorded an AQI of 98. Experts believe that both the cyclone and climate change have contributed to this change.
Environmentalists explain that a cyclonic system in the Bay of Bengal has increased moisture in the air. Shifts in weather patterns caused by climate change have also played a part. Frequent low-pressure systems and cyclonic activity this year have led to above-normal rainfall, which has reduced the concentration of pollutants.
Rainfall during Durga Puja further held back the sharp rise in pollution that is typically observed during the festive period.
Environmentalist Dr. Swati Nandi Chakraborty stated that pollution levels before Kali Puja are considerably low this year and that conditions can be considered largely normal.
Still, experts have cautioned against assuming that the air will remain clean. Somendra Mohan Ghosh, a green technologist and environmentalist, said the present improvement is a temporary result of greater atmospheric moisture. He predicted that pollution could increase quickly after November 6 and stay high until mid-March 2027.
The West Bengal Pollution Control Board has reportedly kept a special team ready to monitor pollution during Kali Puja and Diwali. Authorities are also expected to restrict firecracker use, and bursting may be allowed only between 8 pm and 10 pm.