A thick blanket of haze continued to envelop Mumbai on Wednesday, reducing visibility as the city witnessed high humidity levels and cloud cover, leading to a further increase in overall air pollution. According to the IMD, easterly winds that keep dust particles suspended in the air are to blame for the persistent haze and poor air quality. The average AQI of the city tested 141 (unhealthy for sensitive groups) at 7 pm on Wednesday, while images from across the city indicated ‘hazardous’ levels.

Meanwhile, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) portal, which compiles AQI readings from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) stations, indicated that air quality remained in the moderate category. The highest AQI of 177 was recorded at Byculla, followed by Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (T2) at 172, Navy Nagar in Colaba, Vile Parle West and Borivli East (IITM) at 163 and Malad West at 160. The lowest AQI recorded on Wednesday evening, 110, was in Sewri.