While the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has not officially announced the end of the monsoon in Mumbai yet, and the city’s air quality has already started to worsen. As of Friday, October 10, Mumbai's AQI stands at 156, with PM2.5 at 52 µg/m³ and PM10 at 116 µg/m³.
Last Saturday, October 4, Mumbai’s AQI was 49. It rose steadily over the week, reaching 61 on Sunday, 71 on Wednesday, and 105 by Thursday night, according to Central Pollution Control Board data.
While this overall number places the city’s air quality in the "satisfactory to moderate" range, some areas saw much higher pollution levels. Sewri recorded the worst AQI at 158. Other affected areas included Borivali at 113, Deonar at 147, and Bandra-Kurla Complex at 148.
During the June to September monsoon season, frequent rains cleared airborne particles and kept pollution low. The AQI stayed below 50 throughout the monsoon. Since the rains stopped last Saturday, pollutants have started to accumulate in the air. Stagnant air and rising temperatures have also contributed to the build-up.
With Diwali approaching, fireworks and slower winds are expected to worsen pollution levels. As per a report by FPJ, experts say AQI can surpass 350 in the coming weeks. This indicates a big effect on Mumbai’s air quality this winter.