Mumbai Weather Update: AQI In Several Parts Of City Drops To "Poor"

As per latest report issued by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), Mumbai’s air quality index (AQI) has dropped to ‘poor’ in several areas on Monday, November 28, while the overall AQI remains in the ‘moderate’ category.

This development came a day after most parts of south Mumbai witnessed a blanket of smog in the evening hours on Sunday, November 27.

As on Friday morning, November 25, the overall AQI readings showed 173, which refers to ‘Moderate’, whereas several pockets of the city continued to record a higher AQI.

On Monday afternoon, November 28, Chembur’s AQI was 249, followed by Colaba’s AQI of 235. Bhandup recorded an AQI of 180 followed by Malad, which recorded an AQI of 169. Andheri and Borivali, recorded AQI of 169 and 128, respectively. Worli showed an AQI of 132 yesterday afternoon, but its reading in the morning was above 200.

It is pertinent to note that in the last two months, while several parts of Mumbai continued to record ‘Poor’ AQI, Worli’s AQI had remained in the ‘Good’ category on most days.

Weather experts have attributed this dip in AQI to the fall in mercury levels. Dr Gufran Beig, senior scientist and founder project director of SAFAR, said that due to the decline in temperature, there has been a fall in wind speed.

He added that areas in Mumbai that are experiencing poor AQI are also recording significant drop in temperature, especially during morning and evening hours. He said the city’s overall AQI will continue to oscillate between ‘Moderate’ and ‘Poor’ category till the end of January, after which it is expected to improve.

For those unversed, AQI is measured by the level of PM 2.5 constituents, which are air particulate matters with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres. The PM 2.5 components comprise of burn residues, dust particles and components discharged from vehicular emissions.

Moreover, the city’s temperature saw a marginal rise in the past one week. Besides, weather experts say that the mercury level may drop again in the latter part of the week.

The Santacruz observatory of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded a maximum temperature of 33.7 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 20 degrees Celsius.