Mumbai's air quality holds in 'moderate' category with AQI at 132

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The overall air quality in Mumbai continued to remain in the 'moderate' category for the second consecutive day, with an AQI at 132 on Tuesday morning, according to SAFAR-India. On Monday, Mumbai's air quality was recorded in the 'moderate' category with an AQI of 115.

In the same period, Bhandup recorded an AQI of 120 (moderate), and Worli reported an AQI of 114 (moderate).

Earlier this month, Mumbai had air quality in the 'good category.' However, a week of higher temperatures, with daily maximums ranging from 32 to 34 degrees Celsius, led to the air quality slipping into the moderate category.

Meanwhile, in the national capital, New Delhi, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the overall Delhi region was in the 'very poor' category at 303. In the Delhi University area and Pusa, air quality was recorded as 'very poor' and 'poor,' with AQI values of 335 and 242, respectively.

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IIT Delhi exceeded the very poor category with an AQI of 306, and the Airport (T3) also reported 'very poor' air quality with an AQI of 313. The Mathura Road area recorded an AQI of 173, placing it in the moderate category.

Noida recorded an AQI of 308 (very poor), and Gurugram had an AQI of 249 (poor).

Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool for effective communication of air quality status to people in terms that are easy to understand. It condenses complex air quality data from various pollutants into a single number (index value), making it easier to interpret.

The AQI scale categorizes air quality as follows: 0 to 100 is considered good, 100 to 200 is moderate, 200 to 300 is poor, 300 to 400 is very poor, and 400 and above is considered severe.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) scientist VK Soni said on Monday that there is some hope for air quality improvement with the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), but the air quality is likely to remain 'very poor' until October 26. GRAP is a set of guidelines and measures aimed at combating air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR) of India, which includes Delhi and its surrounding areas.