High temperature and moisture improves city’s air quality on Thursday

On Wednesday, Mumbai recorded high pollution levels, the AQI dropping to 304 (very poor) for the first time since the day after Diwali.SAFAR predicted similar AQI levels for Friday, at 284 (poor).

The quality of the air you breathe improved with temperature, humidity and wind speed increasing in Mumbai on Thursday.

The System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) recorded 299 on the pollutant measuring air quality index (AQI) during the day, and 286 by evening, both falling under the ‘poor’ category.(HT file photo)

The System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) recorded 299 on the pollutant measuring air quality index (AQI) during the day, and 286 by evening, both falling under the ‘poor’ category.

On Wednesday, Mumbai recorded high pollution levels, the AQI dropping to 304 (very poor) for the first time since the day after Diwali. SAFAR predicted similar AQI levels for Friday, at 284 (poor).

On Thursday, both day and night temperatures were 2 degrees Celsius above normal. The maximum temperature at the Santacruz weather station was 35.6 degrees Celsius, 2.3 degrees above normal; Colaba recorded 35.3 degrees Celsius, 2.2 degrees above normal. Minimum temperatures at Santacruz was 23.2 degrees Celsius, 2.3 degrees Celsius above normal and 25 degrees Celsius at Colaba, 2 degrees above normal. Moisture levels were high in south Mumbai on Thursday as Colaba recorded 81% humidity while 54% was recorded at Santacruz, closer to the normal mark.

Weather bureau officials said with rise in temperatures, pollutant particles could not settle close to the earth’s surface. “Warm winds from the eastern parts of the city led to a rise in temperatures both during day and night. Pollutants were dispersed faster on Thursday because of an increase in wind speed,” said VK Rajeev, director, western region, India Meteorological Department. “We expect current conditions to continue till Saturday and temperatures are expected to drop after that.”

Four of 10 locations in Mumbai recorded ‘very poor’ AQI levels on Thursday with Andheri being the most polluted spot with an AQI of 349 (very poor). Locations such as Bandra Kurla Complex, Malad and Mazgaon followed suit with ‘very poor’ AQI while all remaining locations recorded ‘poor’ air quality.

AQI in Mumbai

Mumbai (overall) on Thursday morning: 299

Mumbai (overall) on Thursday evening: 286

Mumbai (overall) forecast for Friday: 284

Delhi (overall) on Thursday evening: 332

Mumbai (overall) on Monday: 261

Mumbai (overall) on Tuesday: 291

Mumbai (overall) on Wednesday: 305

AQI at 10 locations in Mumbai on Thursday and Prediction for Friday

Location	AQI on Thursday	Predicted AQI for Friday
Andheri	349 (Very Poor)	320 (Very Poor)
Bandra Kurla Complex	319 (Very Poor)	321 (Very Poor)
Mazgaon	313 (Very Poor)	313 (Very Poor)
Malad	305 (Very Poor)	304 (Very Poor)
Navi Mumbai	285 (Poor)	297 (Poor)
Chembur	265 (Poor)	259 (Poor)
Borivali	265 (Poor)	280 (Poor)
Worli	263 (Poor)	262 (Poor)
Colaba	246 (Poor)	249 (Poor)
Bhandup	249 (Poor)	235 (Poor)

(All AQI levels are in PM2.5 values monitored by the SAFAR)