Haze of smog obscures Mumbai skyscrapers; air quality recorded in 'poor' category

File photo/Nimesh Dave

The skyline in Mumbai remained obscured by a haze of smog, with air quality classified as 'Moderate' early on Tuesday. The cityscape, including skyscrapers, buildings, and residential areas, was veiled in a thick layer of smoke and fog.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) for Mumbai was at 159 at 1 pm, falling under the 'Moderate' category. However, specific areas showed higher pollution levels, with Colaba recording an index of 201 (considered 'Poor'). Other areas, such as Malad, Bandra, Boriavali, Worli, Kalanagar, Chembur, Andheri, and Navi Mumbai, varied in their AQI readings. Air quality index at 1 pm in Colaba was recorded at 201 which falls under 'Poor' category. in Malad it was recorded at 200 in Bandra, 233 in Bandra, 118 in Boriavali, 147 in Colaba and 83 in Worli, Kalanagar it was 228. In Chembur it was 302, in Andheri at 125 and in Navi Mumbai it was recorded at 149.

The Bombay High Court, responding to the worsening air pollution, issued interim directives to the Maharashtra government and municipal authorities in Mumbai and nearby areas. The court allowed firecrackers for three hours only, between 7 pm to 10 pm, and ordered the use of covered trucks for transporting construction materials until November 10. It also warned of a possible total ban on transporting construction material until Diwali if air quality doesn't significantly improve.

Also read: Mumbai: Air quality in 'moderate' category, AQI at 178

The State government was instructed to consider measures outlined in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Supreme Court judgments on firecrackers. The court emphasized the strict implementation of the air pollution mitigation plan announced by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) earlier this year.

PM2.5 levels have surged in Mumbai, registering a sharp spike of 42.1 per cent in 2023, causing health concerns due to the minute particles that can deeply affect the lungs. Experts attributed the dust pollution to cold wind mixing from the Western Ghats with warmer air along the coast, creating a dense smog cover over the city.

The current PM2.5 concentration in Mumbai is at 59 (ug/m3), significantly higher than the World Health Organisation's recommended threshold of 15 ug/m3 for 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the national capital region of Delhi continued to suffer from 'severe' air quality levels, posing a serious health threat. The winter months exacerbate pollution due to multiple factors including dust, vehicular emissions, dry-cold weather, stubble burning, and slow-moving, denser cold air trapping pollutants.

According to medical professionals, a healthy individual should experience an AQI below 50. However, the recent AQI exceeding 400 can be fatal for those with lung-related ailments, even elevating the risk of lung cancer. (With inputs from ANI)