Mumbai air quality improves; rainfall expected

According to reports, in a sigh of relief, on Monday, February 15, the air quality in Mumbai improved to ‘moderate’ from ‘very poor’ category.

According to the System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the air quality index (AQI) of Mumbai was 159 and is predicted to remain in the moderate to the poor category for the next two days.

Moreover, the reversal of wind flow and rise in temperature is responsible for the improvement in the city's air quality. Mumbai's air quality had remained in the ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ category since the beginning of January because of low temperatures.

Furthermore, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted rain activity in interior parts of Maharashtra like Akola, Amravati, Nagpur and Wardha. The IMD further added that rainfall can be expected in the interior parts from February 16 which Is likely to continue for three days. In addition, the maximum and minimum temperatures in Mumbai are also expected to drop by 2-3 degrees.

Earlier on Friday, February 12, as per the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research, Mumbai recorded an AQI of 322. An AQI of 301-400 is considered to be very harmful worthy of triggering a health warning. The AQI was calculated by SAFAR as the average of indices recorded at 10 locations in the city and suburbs. Moreover, SAFAR categorizes AQI levels for 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.