Mumbai reels under ‘poor’ air, rain likely today

Mumbai: Mumbai recorded a dip in air quality Saturday as the Air Quality Index (AQI) plummeted to “poor” category since morning.

An overall AQI — which is an indicator of pollutants in the air – of above 200 was recorded in Mumbai, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR). Air quality experts attributed the deterioration to decrease in city temperature. Meanwhile, the IMD also predicted light rain in Mumbai Sunday.

Saturday evening, the PM10 — which is particulate matter of or less than 10mm in diameter which mostly arises from dust pollution — was recorded at 194. The PM2.5 — fine particles with diameter less than 2.5mm mostly arising from vehicular and industrial emissions – was recorded at 105.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered “good”; between 51 and 100 is considered “moderate”; between 101 and 200 is also considered “moderate”, and between 201 and 300 is considered “poor”. The air quality of the city dropped to “poor” after remaining in the “moderate” category for the last two weeks.

“The city is experiencing a dip in minimum and maximum temperatures, which has contributed to the decrease in the air quality. As such, pollutants are trapped in the surface air which makes the AQI rise,” said an IMD official.

Mumbai recorded maximum temperature at 31.5 degree Celsius, while the Santacruz observatory recorded minimum temperature at 21.1 degree Celsius. BKC experienced the poorest air with PM2.5 levels at 316, followed by Malad (274), Mazagaon (260) and Chembur (213).

The IMD also said that Mumbai, Palghar, Thane, Raigad and Ratnagiri districts are expected to witness light rain on December 22.

“Partial cloudiness over Mumbai and around extending interiors today. Light rain expected in parts of Maharashtra over north Pune, adjoining parts of Ahmednagar,” said K.S. Hosalikar, deputy director general, IMD.