Even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) is yet to declare withdrawal of monsoon, air quality in Mumbai witnessed deterioration this week with the overall AQI in Mumbai surpassing 100 on Thursday evening. Amid the AQI's downward spiral in Mumbai, experts have flagged that the city is likely to experience further decline in the upcoming months. Thanks to the relief ushered in by monsoons, Mumbai's air quality had remained under the "good" category over the past four months between June and September. Until October 4 last week, the city's overall air quality remained under 50. However, amid rainfall eluding the city since the weekend and mercury levels soaring, the city's overall AQI has been clocking in a deteriorating trend dipping into the "satisfactory" category. Data procured from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that while the AQI remained 49 till Saturday, it touched 61 on Sunday. The overall AQI further spiked to 71 by Wednesday and later on Thursday evening touched 105. While the overall index touched 105, at least nine of 27 air monitoring stations also logged 'moderate' AQI going over 100. The worst air quality was recorded in Sewri at 158, followed by 148 in BKC, 147 in Deonar and 113 in Borivali. For perspective, AQI readings between 0-50 is regarded as good, 51-100 is regarded as satisfactory, 101-200 is regarded as moderate, 201-300 is regarded as poor, 301-400 is regarded as very poor and above 400 is considered to be severe. The burgeoning AQI levels coming over two weeks ahead of Diwali, when air pollution spikes significantly owing to firecrackers and slowing down of wind patterns, has raised concerns amongst experts while IMD is yet to declare the withdrawal of monsoon in Mumbai. Typically, the city records good air quality during monsoon season as the rain activity settles down pollutants. Speaking to The Indian Express, experts have flagged that Mumbai is poised to witness several bad AQI days this winter season owing to projected weather phenomenons. Dr. Tuhin Banerji - scientist and member of Bombay Environment Action Group (BEAG) said, "The air pollution levels are expected to be much worse, this coming winter season. Owing to certain climatic factors, the wind patterns are likely to be disrupted and even the little bit of winds during the season may be reduced. Due to certain weather phenomenons, this year is already projected to be one of the closest winters on record." "Due to the lack of winds, the AQI is going to be very bad with the air quality index likely to surpass even 350 on several days," Dr. Banerji added. For the record, over the past three years, Mumbai has been reeling under poor air quality during winters owing to changing wind patterns as well as large scale infrastructure projects unfolding in the city.
