AQI ‘POOR’, MAY STAY MORE THAN 200 TODAY TOO

MUMBAI : With both the day and night temperatures almost at the normal mark, a rise in pollution levels was recorded on Sunday. The city recorded the air quality index (AQI) at 206 (poor) during the day, which further increased to 220 (poor) by Sunday evening.

AQI level from 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 is poor, 301-400 is very poor, and 401 and above is severe.

The System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) predicted poor air quality to continue on Monday with an AQI of 209.

Researchers said the drop in temperature and calm winds were not allowing the dispersion process of pollutants suspended close to the surface.

Andheri, Mazgaon and Malad were the three most polluted sites in the city with AQI at 361, 346, and 336, all falling under the ‘very poor’ category.

The day temperature at south Mumbai and the suburbs was 33 degrees Celsius and 33.2 degrees Celsius, both 0.1 degree Celsius below normal.

The minimum temperature was 23 degrees Celsius in south Mumbai, which was normal, and 20.2 degrees Celsius in the suburbs, 0.7 degrees Celsius below normal.

Moisture levels were high as south Mumbai recorded 87% humidity and the suburbs recorded 51% humidity.

The weather bureau predicted a clear sky for Monday.