City sees clear skies, best AQI on Sunday

Sunday brought much-needed relief to Mumbaikars as the city, which for almost a week had been witnessing poor air quality that had left the city in a blanket of haze, recorded the best Air Quality Index (AQI) of the year as the overall AQI was recorded as 63.

"The moisture that was holding up all the pollutants had cleared and there was strong breeze too which helped Mumbai see such a drastic change. As compared to February 7 when the AQI was 273, the AQI on Sunday was 63 and in the 'Satisfactory' category which was also the best air quality for this year," said Dr Gufran Beig, Director, System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).

Of the 10 locations where SAFAR records the AQI, four including Malad, Andheri, Chembur and Colaba reported PM 2.5, which is the smallest size pollutant known to cause respiratory illnesses and worsens the condition of those suffering from ailments like asthma and bronchitis, was in the 'Good' category while at Bhandup, Borivali, Mazgaon and BKC it was in the 'Satisfactory' category.

According to officials of SAFAR, the PM 2.5 was above 300 at locations like BKC and Mazgaon throughout last week. "We had given a forecast that AQI will begin improving from Friday. On Saturday it was 123 and during this period the AQI is mostly in the moderate category."

TEMP HELPS AQI

• On Sunday Colaba recorded a maximum of 28.5 degree Celsius and a minimum of 20.5 degree Celsius
   
• Santacruz recorded a maximum of 28.9 degree Celsius and a minimum of 17.8 degree Celsius
   
• The air quality usually tends to worsen on days that record low temperatures