08 February,2018 11:45 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Smog-covered environs in Wadala, Mumbai. Pic/Atul Kamble
Mumbai has been witnessing cloudy skies since the last few days. But, this is not due to any impending rain showers that are about to strike. In fact, the Air Quality Index (AQI) of the city has hit alarmingly low levels.
Also read: Mumbai be warned! Air pollution in the city is worse than even Delhi
According to researchers at System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), Mumbai has an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 273, which they have rated as quite poor. SAFAR forecasted an AQI of 266 for Friday. The findings are noteworthy in that this makes it the worst air quality that Mumbai has seen thus far.
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Alarming figures indeed: AQI at the in Bandra where US Consulate is located recorded at 455. Courtesy: World Air Quality Index team
The World Air Quality Index team, who measure air quality in real time, has recorded the AQI at 455 on their official website in the area where the US Consulate General in Bandra is located. The researchers term this as hazardous. The overall AQI in Bandra is 253 which the team labeled as unhealthy. AQI in NMMC, Airoli was recorded at 148 and 170 in the area where the Pimpleshwar temple is located in Dombivali, Thane, which experts say is unhealthy for sensitive groups.
A source as SAFAR said pollutions levels would continue to be in the poor category till Thursday and weather conditions could improve if there is more sunshine as the heat would reduce moisture and pollution levels.
The IMD has recorded the minimum temperature levels at 19 degrees Celcius and 18 degrees Celcius for Thursday, which is valid up to the next 24 and 48 hours respectively.
IMD officials further predicted that high humidity levels will lead to cloud cover over Mumbai and night temperatures will rise due to the withdrawal of western disturbance over Northern India. This they say is expected to continue till Friday. Humidity recorded at Colaba and Santacruz was 88 per cent and 69 per cent respectively.
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