Mumbai’s air quality, which had improved in the initial days of December, has once again taken a downturn, particularly in areas like Colaba and Kandivali. After several days of cloudy weather and easterly winds that helped dissipate pollutants, the city experienced a brief respite. However, Thursday saw a deterioration in air quality, with ‘bad’ levels recorded in certain parts of the city.
According to the Sameer App, the air quality index in Colaba was recorded at 225 at around 5 pm, marking it as ‘bad’. Kandivali, too, registered a significantly worse air quality index of 254. In contrast, other areas such as Sion, Powai, Shivajinagar, and Shivdi reported moderate air quality, with air indices ranging from 120 to 198. Overall, Mumbai’s average air quality index was measured at 134, categorised as ‘moderate’, yet it still indicates a decline compared to the recent improvement. This deterioration follows a temporary improvement after the effects of Cyclone Fengal had passed, which had previously helped disperse pollutants. However, now, as the cyclone’s impact has faded, the city is once again witnessing a rise in pollution levels, particularly in the city’s more congested and industrial areas.
The persistent pollution levels have prompted Mumbaikars to take precautionary measures, with face masks becoming increasingly common, especially in high-traffic zones like CSMT. This marks a return to the struggles the city faced throughout November when it battled persistently poor air quality. Adding to the concern, a recent report by Greenpeace India highlighted the increasing presence of nitrogen oxides in Mumbai’s air, especially in the Mazgaon and Malad regions. The findings underscore the growing need for long-term solutions to address the air quality challenges in the city. As the situation worsens, citizens and environmental experts alike are urging the government to intensify efforts to combat air pollution. The focus is now on implementing stricter regulations to reduce emissions and improving air quality monitoring across the city to safeguard public health.
