Mumbai breathes cleanest air in 11 months on Friday

Weathermen attribute lower pollution levels to strong winds, higher temperatures

Mumbai’s air was the cleanest since June 2015, when air quality monitoring and forecasting began, on Friday. Weather experts said strong winds and higher temperatures helped the dispersal of airborne pollutants.

The System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) recorded an air quality index (AQI) – pollutant measuring indicator - of 64 on Friday morning. The AQI was 65 in the evening, falling under the ‘good’ category. SAFAR estimated the clean air to continue over the weekend as an AQI of 64 was predicted for Saturday.

Before Friday, Mumbai had its cleanest air on April 18 when AQI levels were recorded at 89; it was 95 on April 17. However, throughout April and the first week of May, pollution levels were seen fluctuating between the ‘good’ and ‘moderate’ categories.

As compared to Mumbai, other cities like Delhi and Pune recorded AQI levels at 116 (moderate) and 73 (good), respectively.

For the first time this year, nine out of 10 locations in Mumbai recorded ‘good’ air quality. The most polluted location was Bandra Kurla Complex that recorded an AQI of 145 on Friday evening, falling under the ‘moderate’ category. On the other hand, the cleanest air in the city was recorded at Worli with an AQI of 35.

Meanwhile, even as interior parts of the state continue to reel under high temperatures, Mumbai recorded the maximum temperature below normal levels on Friday. While the weather station at Santacruz recorded 32.9 degrees Celsius, 0.4 degree Celsius below normal, 33.5 degrees Celsius, 0.2 degree Celsius above normal was recorded at Colaba. Owing to a clear sky during the night, night temperatures were below normal levels in Mumbai.

BOX

Nine out of 10 locations record ‘good’ air quality, first time this year

AQI in Mumbai on Friday morning: 64 (Good)

AQI in Mumbai on Friday evening: 65 (Good)

Expected AQI for Mumbai on Saturday: 64 (Good)

(All AQI levels are in PM2.5 values monitored by the System for Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research)

AQI indicators

Good (0-100)

Health advisory: No cautionary action required

Moderate (101-200)

Health advisory: Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion and heavy outdoor work

Poor (201-300)

Health advisory: People with heart or lung disease, older adults and children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.

Very poor (301-400)

Health advisory: People with heart or lung diseases, older adults and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion, everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion

Severe (401- above)

Health advisory: Everyone should avoid all physical activity, outdoors, people with heart or lung disease older adults and children should remain indoors and keep activity levels low.