Mumbai most polluted in October: MPCB

According to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Mumbai was found to be the most polluted in the month of October.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in October was 149 was also the worst among nine locations MPCB monitored. On Monday, November 16, MPCB uploaded a month-wise AQI average data of 20 locations for 2019 and 2020. An AQI between 100-200 is considered moderate and does not pose an immediate health risk. However, places like Thane and Dombivli breached the 200-mark. The cleanest air, however, was recorded in Nashik, with an AQI of 29 in June 2020.

Earlier on November 1, in the wee hours, the city of Mumbai recorded an overall AQI of 156. Just before the coronavirus-induced lockdown began, the AQI on March 18 was 172, and it dipped to 130 the next day. The AQI has been in ‘good’ to ‘satisfactory’ levels until recently, as per reports.

In the past, the highest AQI of 121 since March was clocked on October 13. As temperatures dip and the monsoons have declined, the AQI witnesses an increase across the city. Bandra Kurla Complex was the most polluted with an AQI of 305, as per reports. However, at an AQI of 38, Worli had the cleanest air.