Colaba saw minimum and maximum temperatures of 21.1 degrees and 29.9 degrees, respectively. | Photo Credits: Vijay Gohil
This has been an exceptionally pleasant and polluted winter for Mumbai. While the temperatures have been low enough to sleep without a fan in the night for more than a month, the air quality index (AQI) has been bothering morning-walk goers for a week now. For the past two days, thick smog has blanketed the city until late in the evening.
The mercury is likely to dip by two-three degrees Celsius in the coming days. On Friday, Santacruz recorded minimum and maximum temperatures of 18.5 degrees and 30.8 degrees, respectively; the latter being two-three degrees lower than normal. Similarly, Colaba saw minimum and maximum temperatures of 21.1 degrees and 29.9 degrees, respectively.
India Meteorological Department, Mumbai Director, Sunil Kamble explained, “The rise and drop in minimum temperatures is seasonal. When the northern winds are stronger, the temperature drops.” He predicted that the minimum temperature in Mumbai will remain around 16 to 17 degrees in the coming days. The maximum will likely remain around 30 degrees, a little below normal.”
Meanwhile, the BMC has resumed washing both major and minor roads amid the worsening AQI. It has deployed truck-mounted fog mist cannon machines to spray water in two shifts across all 24 administrative wards. The spraying is being done intensively at locations where construction, demolition, and excavation activities are taking place. Additionally, 100 tankers have been rolled out to remove road dust. Furthermore, e-sweeper machines are being used to clean streets and sidewalks.
Given the severity of air pollution impacting different areas, the civic body has formulated localised measures to curb bad air. “A total of 100 tankers have been deployed for washing roads. These include 67 tankers with a capacity of 5,000 liters and 39 tankers with a capacity of 9,000 liters,” said a senior civic official. Action is being taken against vehicles that transport unlicensed or illegal construction debris as well as those that do not cover their loads or take any safety precautions, he added.
A climate change awareness survey conducted in October by NGO SNEHA highlighted growing anxiety among residents. “Of 307 respondents, 56% expressed being very worried about air pollution in their local area. Other 37% were moderately worried,” said Dr Shanti Pantvaidya, SNEHA executive director. The survey also revealed that 68% of respondents experienced health issues directly linked to air pollution, including coughing, runny noses, and breathing difficulties.
“Air pollution makes children susceptible to repeated illnesses, which adversely affect their overall growth,” said Dr Pantvaidya.
