Mumbai woke up to an unusually cool Saturday morning, offering residents a brief respite from the city’s typically warm and humid conditions. Minimum temperatures dipped just below 21 degrees Celsius, bringing a mild pre-winter chill that early risers welcomed as they stepped out to clear skies and light winds.

But the pleasant start to the day came with a lingering concern. A thin yet persistent layer of smog hovered over the city, muting visibility and dulling what could have been a crisp, picture-perfect morning. Despite the refreshing breeze, the haze remained stubborn—once again highlighting Mumbai’s worsening air-quality issues.