Mumbai air deteriorates badly post monsoon

Mumbai: Haze envelopes Mumbai as the air quality deteriorated on Saturday after a continuous spell of moderate air quality. The over all air quality index, the indicator of pollutants in the air soared up to 233, that comes in ‘poor’ category, according to the System of Air quality And weather Forecast And Research (SAFAR).

This is the second consecutive days of hazy air in Mumbai after monsoon this year that the air quality has decreased at such levels where some areas recorded AQI above 300 (very poor).

Experts from Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) have attributed the AQI to the spike in both air pollutants and the increased humidity levels. The maximum humidity levels recorded in the last 24 hours since 8.30 am on Friday rose to 95 per cent.

“The moisture in the air tends to trap dust particles, which remains suspended for a longer time. The air quality may remain same for next 24 hours after which it will get better,” said an IMD official.

The air quality at Bandra Kurla Complex remained the poorest on Saturday with PM2.5 levels, mostly arising from vehicular emissions, at 330 followed by Andheri (317), Mazagaon (255), Colaba (235), Borivali (225) and Chembur (207). Navi Mumbai too recorded ‘very poor’ levels of pollutants at 331 AQI. The AQI between 200-300 is considered as ‘poor’, while the AQI more than 300 is recorded as ‘very poor’ category.

According to Gufran Beig, project director at SAFAR, prolonged exposure to ‘very poor’ air quality could lead to health concerns like coughing or shortness of breath for people sensitive to air pollution and asthmatic patients.

The maximum temperature recorded in Mumbai over the last 24 hours was 34.7 degrees, while the minimum temperature for the day was recorded 26.5 degrees.