Mumbai records three straight months of good, satisfactory AQI with no moderate days

Experts say AQI improves as rain washes pollutants out of the atmosphere. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE

Mumbai has reported three consecutive months of AQI in the good and satisfactory category (all green days), with not a single day in the moderate or poor category. All hotspots across the city such as Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Kherwadi, and Govandi have also reported clean AQI. August had the maximum number of good AQI days. Experts have attributed this to wind patterns and moisture during the monsoon.

[popcorn number="35" desc="AQI level on September 19" class="Default"]

Preventive measures

The BMC commissioner said that Mumbai's AQI was currently under control but stressed on the need for advance measures to prevent deterioration in air quality in the coming months. A special campaign will be conducted from October 1 to October 15, during which measures including road washing and covering major construction sites will be undertaken.

June-Sept 21 AQI

Mumbai recorded 19 days of AQI in the good category in September, with the best AQI reading on September 19, at 35 - the cleanest in two-and-a-half months. Mumbai last recorded AQI at 35 on July 4, which followed three days of extremely heavy rainfall in the city. Between June 30 and July 6, Mumbai recorded 60 per cent of the average annual rainfall. During the monsoon months, the primary pollutants are carbon monoxide and PM10, both of which are caused by vehicular combustion.

Post-monsoon plans

Despite the good AQI, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide on Friday directed the civic administration to undertake a 15-day special drive to monitor construction work. While all road and other civic construction works are halted during the monsoon months between June and September, the BMC begins road repair work and construction of big-ticket long-term projects during the first week of October.

Expert Speak

Manoj Kumar, an analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), said rainfall has an immediate impact on air quality. "The moment we have good rainfall, we see AQI improve as rain washes pollutants out of the atmosphere. The level of suspended particulate matter - especially PM10 and PM2. - also drops significantly. Strong winds further help disperse pollutants, which is particularly beneficial for a coastal city like Mumbai."

Good AQI days

September
Good 19 days
Satisfactory 2 days

August
Good 27 days
Satisfactory 4 days

July
Good 13 days
Satisfactory 18 days

June
Good 10 days
Satisfactory 20 days

May
Good 12 days
Satisfactory 19 days