Kozhikode (Calicut) Air Quality Index (AQI) & Air Pollution Today

Kerala, India — Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) and PM2.5

Kozhikode AQI Right Now

78

Category: Satisfactory

Dominant Pollutant: pm10

PM2.5: 38.13 µg/m³

PM10: 77.16 µg/m³

Last updated: 2026-03-24 — Data source: Google Air Quality API (NAQI). Live NAQI values load when you visit the page.

Kozhikode Pollutant Levels

PollutantConcentration
PM2.538.13 µg/m³
PM1077.16 µg/m³
O₃ (Ozone)24.4 µg/m³
NO₂9.11 µg/m³
SO₂1.01 µg/m³
CO311.92 µg/m³

Health Advisory — Kozhikode

Satisfactory: Minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people.

Health Impact — Kozhikode

Cigarette Equivalent: Breathing this air is equivalent to smoking 1.7 cigarettes per day (based on current PM2.5 levels).

Life Expectancy Impact: Sustained exposure at this PM2.5 level could reduce life expectancy by 0.18 years (AQLI estimate, relative to WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³).

Health Recommendations for Kozhikode

  • General Population: Acceptable air quality. Unusually sensitive people should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
  • Elderly: Minor breathing discomfort is possible.
  • Children: Should be fine outdoors with normal activities.
  • Lung Disease Patients: Consider reducing prolonged outdoor exertion.

Understanding Kozhikode Air Quality

Kozhikode (Calicut), the historic Spice Coast port that once drew traders from Arabia, China, and Europe, enjoys some of India's cleanest air thanks to its tropical maritime climate and extraordinary rainfall exceeding 3,000mm annually. The Arabian Sea coastline provides excellent maritime ventilation, with consistent onshore breezes dispersing pollutants seaward. The Western Ghats rising sharply to the east channel monsoon moisture into the coastal strip, ensuring heavy and prolonged rainfall that efficiently washes out airborne particulates for nearly half the year.

Despite these natural advantages, the old city's congested core - with narrow streets around the historic Kozhikode Beach, SM Street (Mittai Theruvu), and the spice market areas - creates localised pockets of vehicular pollution. Fishing boat emissions from the harbour, two-wheeler exhaust from Kerala's highest two-wheeler density, and spice processing units (pepper, cardamom, and copra drying) contribute to localised air quality issues. Construction activity from the city's development boom adds dust to the mix.

The driest period (December–March) sees the highest pollution levels, though these rarely exceed Moderate AQI for the city overall. Even during peak pollution months, coastal winds and residual soil moisture keep PM2.5 levels well below those seen in northern Indian cities. The southwest monsoon (June–August) delivers the cleanest air, with AQI consistently in the Good range as torrential rainfall provides near-constant atmospheric cleansing.

Primary Pollution Sources

  • Vehicle exhaust
  • Road dust
  • Port and fishing boat emissions
  • Construction dust
  • Waste burning
  • Spice processing

Geography: Arabian Sea coast in northern Kerala; historic spice trade port, tropical maritime climate with very high rainfall (3,000mm+)

Peak pollution months: December, January, February, March

Frequently Asked Questions — Kozhikode

Is Kozhikode's air quality generally good?

Yes, Kozhikode enjoys some of India's best air quality due to its Arabian Sea coastal location providing strong maritime ventilation, and over 3,000mm annual rainfall that efficiently washes out pollutants. Even during the driest months (December–March), AQI rarely exceeds Moderate levels, making it one of the cleanest cities in the country.

What causes localised pollution in Kozhikode?

The old city's narrow streets around SM Street and the spice markets create congestion-driven vehicular pollution hotspots. Fishing boat emissions from the harbour, spice processing units (pepper and copra drying), and construction dust from ongoing development contribute to localised air quality issues, though overall city-level pollution remains low.

Air Quality in Nearby Cities