Mumbai skyline disappears into the haze as rain retreats; AQI crosses 100

Mumbai’s skyline vanished into a haze as rain subsided on Friday, with the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) surging above 100 for the first time this post-monsoon season. The AQI rose to 111 by the afternoon, with 10 out of 20 monitoring stations reporting 'moderate' air quality, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Worli had the highest AQI of 178, followed by Colaba at 143, Deonar at 141 and Mazgaon at 138. Fine and coarse particulate matter were the main pollutants detected. After four months of air quality generally staying below 100 from June to September, the decline occurred due to a mix of factors. Reduced rainfall stopped washing away dust and other pollutants, while shifting wind patterns and drier conditions contributed to the spike.

Experts noted that clockwise winds from the landward direction carried dry air and dust from the north. The situation prompted the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to release new SOPs for addressing pollution at the ward level. Each ward must identify at least 10 hotspots, such as construction sites, waste-burning zones and areas with heavy traffic.

An officer will be assigned to each hotspot to ensure corrective actions. Ward-level teams will inspect at least two construction sites daily, and demolition sites must implement dust control measures including barricading, covering debris and continuous misting. Developers and contractors are also responsible for cleaning roads around construction areas, with distance requirements based on project size.

If the AQI crosses 200, the authority can undertake intensive cleaning and stricter penalties for open waste burning. A post-monsoon clean-up drive is planned for the first two weeks of October to remove sludge, mud and accumulated dust from major roads.