Smog engulfs pockets of city as AQI levels spike

Data procured from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that the worst air quality has been observed at Bandra Kurla Complex where the AQI has reached 294, which falls in the poor category, followed by Malad West (293), Shivaji Nagar (256) and Colaba’s Navy Nagar pocket (243).

On Wednesday, air quality was at its worst in Bandra Kurla Complex (285), followed by Malad West (277), Shivaji Nagar (259) and Sewri (245).

Sunil Kamble, director from IMD Mumbai said, “Besides the dipping temperature which typically results in the rise of air pollution, wind patterns are another factor influencing the AQI levels. Normally, the winds set around 10 – 11 am. However, currently, we are witnessing that the winds are setting much later around 2 pm. Owing to the slower winds, the dust and particulate matter remain suspended in the air longer, resulting in a rise in the AQI.”

Weather experts added that the city can expect elevated AQI until the next course of wind reversal.

On Thursday, the minimum temperatures, as per the IMD’s Santa Cruz recording station, touched 19.8 degrees Celsius while the Colaba coastal observatory recorded 22.3 degrees. India Meteorological Department (IMD) scientists have said that while the city will experience temperatures between the range of 20 and 22 degrees in the next few days, residents can expect a nip-in-the-air, following New Year’s Eve, when the temperature is set to drop to nearly 16 degrees Celsius.

Sushma Nair from IMD Mumbai told The Indian Express, “According to our current weather charts, the minimum temperatures can drop below 18 degrees and hover near 16 degrees in the first week of January, between January 2 and 3, owing to northerlies. This drop is likely to happen if there is heavy snowfall in the north. Besides this, even the maximum temperatures could drop below 30 degrees.”