Monitoring and Prediction of Air Quality and Visibility Reductions in HKH

Air pollution poses a significant environmental and public health threat in the HKH region of south-central Asia, where the air quality frequently reaches unhealthy to hazardous levels. The Kathmandu Valley in Nepal is particularly susceptible to poor air quality due to pollution getting trapped by the surrounding mountains. This can result in severe smog episodes and reduced visibility, negatively impacting the transportation sector. Typically, air pollution monitoring in the HKH region relies on a limited network of surface-based sensors.

In 2023, a new Air Quality (AQ) service area was established by SERVIR in collaboration with ICIMOD's Atmospheric Watch Initiative (AWI). To facilitate air quality monitoring, a web-based dashboard has been developed that utilizes publicly available observation data, satellite-based remote sensing products, and atmospheric models. The air quality products developed by AST-NASA/MSFC are also being integrated into the same dashboard, creating a single window for users to access comprehensive information.

Rationale

To improve the current understanding of air pollution in the region and develop evidence-based solutions, it is crucial to establish a comprehensive collection of high-resolution satellite products and accurate chemical transport modeling systems. By creating advanced modeling systems and high-resolution satellite products, the project seeks to enhance pollution monitoring and forecasting capabilities in the HKH region. To facilitate the successful implementation and utilization of the outputs from the Air Quality Watch-HKH, tailored training programs and a user-friendly dashboard will be developed, along with intuitive data visualization tools, to benefit stakeholders in the HKH region.