Mumbai breathes easier as cleaner air days outnumber moderate AQI spells

A view from the Carter Road promenade in Bandra West. FILE PIC

Mumbai has reported 54 days where the air quality index (AQI) was in the ‘moderate' category, and 74 ‘satisfactory' AQI days since January.

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), ‘satisfactory' to ‘good' air quality was reported on the first 11 days of May, 25 days in the month of April, and 24 days in the month of March, while the city recorded the worst AQI this year in January and February months.

Summer readings

Experts indicated that the high levels of humidity and wind patterns in March and April led to better AQI. Throughout March, April, and May, the AQI has been ‘satisfactory', pointing to seasonal improvement.

While January and February reported the worst air, with 23 and 21 ‘moderate' days, respectively, March reported only five ‘moderate' days, and April reported five. In comparison, January and February had no days with ‘good' AQI, while March and May reported three and one such days, respectively.

Lowest AQI this year

March 31: 42
March 29: 46
March 30: 48
May 2: 50

Worst AQI days

February 21: 145
February 2: 141
January 4: 140
February 3: 140
February 15: 134
January 22: 133
January 26: 133

Days and AQI category

Total no. of days: 128
Satisfactory: 74
Moderate: 54
Good: 4