AQI worsens as Chembur slips into the 'poor' category
Mumbai, Dec. 28 -- The city continued to see relatively cool weather on Saturday, even as air quality deteriorated across several pockets, with Chembur slipping into the poor category.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Santacruz recorded a minimum temperature of 17.4degC on Saturday, 0.4degC above normal, while the maximum settled at 31.8degC, 0.4degC below normal. Colaba logged a minimum temperature of 20.7degC, 0.8degC above normal, and a maximum of 31.4degC, 0.4degC below normal.
On Friday, Santacruz had recorded a minimum temperature of 16.9degC, one of the coolest readings of the season, indicating a brief dip before temperatures stabilised a little. An IMD official said that no significant changes are expected in the coming days. "Minimum temperatures will range between 18degC and 20degC, while maximum temperatures are likely to remain between 32degC and 33degC," the official said.
While the weather remained pleasant, air quality showed a steady decline. The city's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) rose from 104 on Thursday to 118 on Friday, and worsened to 136 by Saturday afternoon, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The deterioration was most pronounced in Chembur, which recorded an AQI of 253, placing it in the poor category. Other locations also reported elevated pollution levels, including Bandra Kurla Complex (167), Kandivali West (163), Navy Nagar-Colaba (151), and Powai (140), reflecting a wider spread of pollution beyond isolated hotspots.
A civic official said, "There has been an increase in our enforcement action. These pockets are seeing higher pollution due to vehicular emissions." Calm winds have reduced the dispersion of pollutants, allowing fine matter to build up....
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