Mumbai's air quality continues to remain in 'moderate' category, AQI at 129

File Photo

City's skyline was obscured by a haze of smog and Mumbai's air quality was classified as 'moderate' on Sunday.

The air quality index from 0 to 100 is considered 'good', 100 to 200 'moderate', 200 to 300 'poor', 300 to 400 'very poor' and from 400 to 500 or above 'severe'.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board's SAMEER app, Mumbai's air quality continued to be 'moderate' with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 129 at 10.45 am.

The main causes of air pollution in Mumbai are waste burning, industrial activity, construction dust, and vehicle emissions. These sources emit fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) into the atmosphere, which has the ability to enter the lungs deeply and result in heart problems, respiratory disorders, and other health issues.

The SAMEER App dashboard on Sunday showed Worli's AQI as 119 and Borivali's AQI as 81. Chembur's AQI was in 'moderate' category at 138. While Sion's AQI and Byculla's AQI were in the 'moderate' category at 125 and 135, respectively.

Meanwhile, Vasai's AQI was in the 'good' category at 72.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in their daily forecast for the city and surrounding areas, said that the sky will remain clear today. The maximum temperature is likely to be around 34 degrees Celsius. While the minimum temperature is likely to be around 20 degrees Celsius.

There are numerous programmes in place to better Mumbai's air quality. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has imposed regulations on vehicle emissions, controlled dust areas at construction sites, and the encouragement of electric vehicles, among other things. The Maharashtra government has also introduced the "Clean Air Action Plan," which aims to cut emissions from different sources.

Navi Mumbai, according to data collated by SAMEER app, recorded 'moderate' air quality with AQI at 159. Nerul, located in Navi Mumbai, recorded a moderate AQI of 120.

Meanwhile, Delhi continued to reel under severe cold conditions on Sunday morning as the minimum temperature dropped to 3.5 degrees Celsius -- this winter's lowest -- and a thick layer of fog was seen in several parts of the city, weather officials said.

This was a marginal dip from Saturday's 3.6 degree Celsius and Friday's 3.9 degrees Celsius -- both of which were the season's lowest on the day.

Delhi's minimum temperature recorded on Sunday was four notches below of the season's average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).