Mumbai`s air quality in `moderate` category, AQI at 197
Mumbai`s air quality continued to remain in the `moderate` category on Saturday morning.
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 197 at 9.45 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 Saturday showed Worli`s AQI as 110 and Borivali`s AQI as 99. Shivaji Nagar`s AQI was in `very poor` category at 305. While Powai`s AQI and Mazgaon`s AQI were in the `moderate` category at 138 and 168, respectively.
Meanwhile, Colaba`s AQI was in the `moderate` category at 155.
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 32 degrees Celsius. While the minimum temperature is likely to be around 21 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.
The air quality of Thane was recorded to be in the `moderate` category as well with the AQI at 182. Navi Mumbai, according to data collated by SAMEER app, recorded `poor` air quality with AQI at 201. Nerul, located in Navi Mumbai, recorded a moderate AQI of 163.
Meanwhile, the air quality index (AQI) in the national capital on Saturday morning was recorded under `severe` category, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) said.
The AQI in the national capital was recorded at 447, which comes under the `severe` category.