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Mumbai AQI Today: Mumbai woke up under a thick blanket of haze on Sunday as air quality deteriorated sharply across the city, with the overall Air Quality
Index (AQI) sliding to 144 by evening, data from the Central Pollution Control Board showed. The dip marked a quick reversal from the brief post-rain relief seen earlier this month, leaving residents grappling with reduced visibility and rising pollution levels.
AQI Worsens After Brief New Year Relief
The decline in air quality came just days after Mumbai recorded an AQI of 90 on January 1 and 79 on January 2, an improvement triggered by unseasonal showers on New Year’s Day. However, the respite was short-lived, with pollution levels climbing again as calm weather conditions returned.Out of the city’s 30 monitoring stations, 24 were active on Sunday, and only Powai managed to record an AQI below 100, remaining in the satisfactory range.
Mumbai AQI: Worst-Hit Areas Across the City
Station-wise data painted a worrying picture, with Byculla recording the worst air quality at 194, followed by Malad West (Mindspace) at 184, Mazgaon at 171, Mumbai airport at 169, and Vile Parle at 160. The haze significantly affected visibility in several parts of the city, impacting early morning commutes.
As per CPCB standards, AQI levels between 101 and 200 fall in the ‘moderate’ category, a range that can cause discomfort to people with respiratory conditions and prolonged outdoor exposure.
Impact on Traffic and Flight Operations
Reduced visibility due to haze slowed down traffic during peak hours, particularly along arterial roads and near the airport belt. Areas around Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport also reported hazy conditions, which can affect flight schedules during early morning and late evening hours, especially if calm winds persist.
Meteorologists attributed the hazy conditions to reduced wind speeds, which allow pollutants to remain suspended in the air for longer periods. According to CPCB data, PM2.5 and PM10 were among the dominant pollutants recorded on Sunday, contributing to the visible smog layer over the city.
Mumbai Weather Outlook: More Haze Ahead
The India Meteorological Department has forecast partly cloudy skies with haze until at least January 6. While a brief improvement in visibility is expected thereafter, another spell of hazy conditions is likely to return around January 10, offering little long-term relief.
With pollution levels fluctuating and calm weather continuing, residents have been advised to limit prolonged outdoor activity, especially during early morning hours, and keep a close watch on daily AQI updates in the coming days.
