Mumbai residents experienced a relatively chilly Wednesday morning, January 7, marked by clear blue skies and cool breezes. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported minimum temperatures of 19 degree Celsius at its Santacruz observatory and 20.4 degrees Celsius at Colaba.
While the pleasant weather offered brief relief, deteriorating air quality quickly became a major concern. By early morning, haze was visible across several parts of the city, indicating rising pollution levels.
Data from air quality monitoring platform AQI.in showed that Mumbai’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) surged to 316 during the early hours, categorising it as ‘severe’. Although conditions improved slightly later in the day, the AQI still remained in the ‘unhealthy’ range at 173.
Several neighbourhoods emerged as pollution hotspots. Wadala East recorded a dangerously high AQI of 388, classified as ‘severe’ and posing health risks even to healthy individuals. Chembur followed with an AQI of 370, while Colaba registered 338. Worli and Deonar also reported critical pollution levels, each recording an AQI of 334.
Other areas such as Kandivali East and Jogeshwari East reported AQI readings of 207 and 217 respectively, placing them in the ‘unhealthy’ category. Borivali West recorded an AQI of 223, Borivali East 263, and Powai 287, indicating that air pollution remains widespread across the city rather than being limited to isolated pockets.
In contrast, data from the Sameer app presented a comparatively lower citywide AQI of 129, categorising the air quality as ‘moderate’. Area-wise readings from the app showed: Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) at 137, Borivali at 128, Byculla at 171, Andheri East at 151, Chembur at 111, Deonar at 148, Ghatkopar at 118, and Kandivali at 120.
As a dense layer of smog gradually enveloped the city, reducing visibility and underscoring Mumbai’s worsening air pollution crisis, an unusual sight caught public attention—a man was seen jogging inside a shopping mall, seemingly to avoid exposure to the hazardous outdoor air.
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