Mumbai Weather Update: Thick smog blankets the city, pushing air quality to hazardous levels and raising health concerns for residents | Photo Credits: Vijay Gohil
Mumbai: Mumbai was enveloped in a thick blanket of smog on Thursday, making it feel like evening during the daytime. According to scientists, low wind speeds and high humidity prevented pollutants from dispersing, causing them to remain suspended in the atmosphere.
As a result, air pollution levels in several areas spiked, with Air Quality Index (AQI) readings ranging between 200 and 300, classified as “poor” to “very poor.”
Thursday morning in Mumbai felt noticeably different from the usual. While recent days had seen a mix of mild sunshine and light haze, Thursday brought overcast skies and a heavy layer of smog. Many residents were unsure whether they were witnessing fog or smog.
The government air quality monitoring agency, SAFAR, clarified that the city was experiencing smog, not fog. Smog occurs when pollutants in the air mix with stable atmospheric conditions, while fog consists of water droplets suspended in the air.
Sunil Kamble, Regional Meteorological Department Director, explained that such smoggy conditions are typical during this season. “This phenomenon arises when wind speeds drop significantly, and humidity levels are high,” he said.
SAFAR Director Gufran Beig noted that the pollution levels in Mumbai were elevated on Thursday. “Dust particles combined with fog kept pollutants suspended in the atmosphere,” he added.
Mumbai recorded a maximum temperature of 30.5°C and a minimum of 19.1°C on Thursday. Humidity levels during the day were higher than at night, with daytime humidity reaching 79% compared to 70% at night.
Low Visibility Expected to Improve by Friday
Weather department sources reported that Mumbai’s visibility, typically around 2 kilometers or more, dropped to approximately 1.5 kilometers on Thursday due to the dense smog. However, conditions are expected to improve from Friday onward as the smog dissipates.
AQI Exceeds 200 in Several Areas
Air pollution levels were significantly high in various parts of Mumbai. The city’s average AQI stood at 168, but several locations reported AQI levels exceeding 200. According to SAFAR’s monitoring stations, Borivali recorded an AQI of 280, Malad 270, Colaba 270, Deonar 221, Kandivali West 221, Mazgaon 216, and Worli 201. An AQI above 200 is categorized as “poor,” posing potential health risks to residents.
PM10 Levels Alarmingly High in Some Areas
Particulate Matter (PM10) concentrations were also alarmingly high in specific locations. Colaba recorded PM10 levels of 308.4 µg/m³, Borivali 216.2 µg/m³, Mazgaon 234.6 µg/m³, Malad 202 µg/m³, Sion 184.8 µg/m³, Worli 175.4 µg/m³, and CSMT 167.3 µg/m³.
Pollution and Smog: The Winter Challenges
The interplay between cold weather and pollution intensifies respiratory problems. “During winter, the drop in night temperatures creates a blanket of cold air that traps pollutants like particulate matter and carbon monoxide in the lower atmosphere,” said Dr Lancelot Pinto, consultant pulmonologist and epidemiologist at PD Hinduja Hospital . “This results in smog, which worsens conditions for those with asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory disorders.”
Smog can cause or aggravate health issues such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, respiratory infections, eye irritation, and reduced resistance to colds. Inhaling cold air can also constrict the throat and nasal passages, causing shortness of breath, sneezing, and nasal congestion.
Dr Sulaiman Ladhani, a pulmonologist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, said they had recorded more than a 50 percent increase in patient turnover, mainly due to flu-like illness and exacerbations of COPD and asthma.
“The anticipated rise in AQI levels over the coming days is a serious concern, especially for individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD. Poor air quality can trigger breathing difficulties, eye irritation, and even cardiovascular issues. It’s crucial for people to stay indoors during peak pollution hours, use air purifiers, and wear masks when stepping out. Vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly, must take extra precautions,” he said.
Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital’s director of pulmonology and sleep medicine, Dr Salil Bendre, said the visits to the outpatient department for breathing difficulty issues and dry cough have doubled in the past couple of weeks. “We are also seeing around 5% hospitalisations among asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD patients as they’ve been facing increased issues,” he said.
Experts have warned residents, especially those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, to take precautions.
Dr Bendre advised deep breathing exercises, particularly those rooted in yoga, such as pranayama. He said that strengthening of respiratory muscles and enhancing lung capacity help our lungs better cope with pollutants.
He added, “It’s also advisable to limit outdoor physical activities and prioritise indoor breathing exercises. Staying well-hydrated also supports respiratory health by aiding muscle function and keeping airways clear.
