Mumbai's air quality improves, but still to shed 'poor' tag

The first day of the year brought some relief for residents of Mumbai as the Air Quality Index (AQI) in spite of being in the 'Poor' category was still better than past few days.

On Monday, the overall AQI of Mumbai was 216. A week ago, it was 257 and for last few days it was around 220. As per System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) an AQI between 200 to 300 is rated in the 'poor' category and is known to cause respiratory related allergies.

AQI of PM2.5, which is the smallest size pollutant known to cause respiratory illnesses and worsens the condition of those suffering from ailments like asthma and bronchitis in three centers including Bandra Kurla Complex (306) Mazgaon (306) and Colaba(305) reported 'Very Poor' air quality. This resulted in several places seeing smog like effect thus reducing visibility too.

"Temperature and wind speed plays a crucial role in the determining of air quality. Infact Mumbai's air quality was much better when compared to that of last week and there is a huge difference when compared with Delhi that had an overall AQI of 411 that put the nation's capital in the 'severe' category," said Gufran Beig, Director for SAFAR adding that however in Mumbai the PM 2.5 level in Mazgaon and Colaba has been found very high, which deteriorated the AQI.

Residents from Central Mumbai and South Mumbai said that they witnessed smog and haze right from morning. "There was smog effect that could be seen from my office located in Lower Parel and its evident it due to the high level of pollution," said Sandesh Kadam who work in Phoenix Mills.

Infact on Monday the minimum temperatures recorded at Colaba was 19.2 degree Celsius while at Santacruz it was recorded at 15.5 degree Celsius.