The city’s air quality index (AQI) entered the ‘poor’ category for the first time in this season. As Mumbai witnesses a temperature drop, the pollutant-measuring indicator was marked at 218 on Tuesday morning.
The most polluted area in the city was Mazgaon, with a “very poor” AQI of 311, followed by Malad at 307 (very poor); Chembur at 303 (very poor). However, Navi Mumbai and Bandra Kurla Complex recorded an AQI at 225 (poor). Colaba’s AQI was at 280 (satisfactory), while remaining locations either recorded “moderate” or “satisfactory” AQI. Meanwhile, Worli had the cleanest air in the city at 75 (satisfactory).
K S Hosalikar, Scientist G & Head of Regional Meteorological Centre (IMD), Mumbai explained, “After monsoon is over, there is an increase in the loose dust. If the temperatures are low then there is a tendency of remaining suspended particles survive in the air for long hours due to low wind majorly during early morning. However, the AQI also depends on the PM2.5 and PM10 levels along with the transportation of dust particles in the air.”
On Tuesday, the concentration for PM10 (larger coarser particles) was 182 micrograms per cubic metre, against the safe limit of 100 micrograms per cubic metre for 24 hours. PM2.5 levels were 94 micrograms per cubic metre, against the safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre for the 24-hour mark.
The coastal and interior parts of Maharashtra might see a dip in temperature up to 14 degrees Celsius on November 5-6, 2020, according to a tweet by Hoslikar.
“Mumbai might not witness much change in the weather this month. We need to wait till December for maximum temperature to drop till 30 degrees Celsius,” Hoslikar added.
The department has also predicted a clear sky for the next three days and the minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to be 23 and 34 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar urged the multiple government agencies to coordinate in implementing an initiative that helps to reduce pollution in the city. Pednekar suggested to reserve major roads once a week only for cycling on Tuesday during the road safety committee meeting chaired by member of Parliament (MP) Arvind Sawant.
Sawant, in support of mayor’s proposal, said that a few hours at least should be reserved for cycling and during that time no motorized transport should be allowed.
According to System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), AQI levels for particulate matter (PM2.5) in the 0-50 range as good; 51-100 as satisfactory; 101-200 as moderate; 201-300 as poor; 301-400 as very poor and above 400 as severe.
Earlier this year, the city experienced worst AQI recorded on March 17 at 272. An AQI of 201 (poor) has been predicted for Wednesday.
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