{
  "id": 18944854,
  "title": "Mumbai AQI Today: City Records Cleanest Diwali Afternoon In Four Years As Sea Breeze Sweeps City",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/mumbai-aqi-today-city-records-cleanest-diwali-afternoon-in-four-years",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-08T13:06:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-aqi-today-city-records-cleanest-diwali-afternoon-in-four-years-as-sea-breeze-sweeps-city"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mumbai recorded its cleanest Diwali afternoon air in four years on Sunday as a strong sea breeze swept the city, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. The air quality index (AQI) stood at 131 at 1 pm and 132 at 4 pm, both still in the \"moderate\" category, which can be problematic for individuals with lung disease, asthma, and heart conditions.\n\nHowever, the AQI was notably lower compared to previous years, with 194 in 2025, 181 in 2024, and 149 in 2023. This reduction in AQI can be attributed to the strong sea breeze, as explained by Gufran Beig, a renowned atmospheric scientist and chair professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies. Beig noted that a wind reversal had occurred in the past 48 hours, causing the sea breeze to blow at a high speed, which in turn controlled the concentration of pollutants in the air, resulting in the lower readings.\n\nDespite the improved air quality, Beig predicted that the air quality may deteriorate on Monday due to the residual impact of the Diwali firecrackers. In contrast, Delhi recorded an AQI of 376 at 4 pm, which was classified as \"very poor\" by the Central Pollution Control Board.\n\nThe decline in Mumbai's air quality earlier this month can be linked to the early withdrawal of the southwest monsoon, as well as the ongoing El Nino weather phenomenon, which has led to deficient rainfall and slower wind speeds in India.",
  "summary": "Mumbai on Sunday recorded its cleanest Diwali afternoon air in four years, as a strong sea breeze swept the city. However, the air quality index was still in the “moderate” category, which can cause breathing problems to those with lung disease, asthma and heart conditions. The city’s air quality index was recorded at 131 at 1 pm and 132 at 4 pm, as per figures released by the Central Pollution…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}