Mumbai’s AQI drops to ‘poor’, two days after staying in ‘moderate’ category

Meanwhile, according to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), Mumbai’s overall AQI on Thursday was a ‘poor’ 228, while Delhi’s AQI on Thursday morning clocked a ‘moderate’ 134. Of the nine AQI monitoring stations installed by SAFAR in Mumbai, seven showed ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ readings. Andheri recorded the worst AQI at 315, followed by 313 in Chembur, 305 in Malad, 225 in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and Bhandup, 200 in Mazagaon and 197 in Colaba. Both Worli and Borivali showed ‘moderate’ 120 and 149.

“The poor and very poor AQI can be directly attributed to the wind speed in Mumbai which hasn’t improved. Additional factors like construction, debris lifting and industrial and vehicular emission also play a key role,” Beig told The Indian Express. Beig said Mumbai was currently experiencing a wind reversal pattern after a period of 15 days, which usually happens 5-7 days earlier every year.

“Since Mumbai is a coastal city, sea breeze greatly determines air pollution levels. The period of wind reversal has increased before winter 2022, so the city is experiencing a slow breeze most days, which is unable to blow away suspended particulate matters,” he said.