Mumbai experienced its coldest night of the season on Sunday, with temperatures dropping to a chilly 18.9 degrees Celsius, marking a departure of two degrees below the normal range, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The city, known for its moderate climate, woke up to the lowest recorded night temperature this season.
The IMD forecasts clear skies throughout the day, with the Santacruz observatory predicting a minimum temperature of around 19 degrees Celsius and a maximum of approximately 34 degrees Celsius for Mumbai. This sudden drop in temperatures has led to a noticeable change in the city’s weather patterns.
Adding to the meteorological shifts, Mumbai’s Air Quality Index (AQI) witnessed a decrease from 199 to 162 within a day. However, the AQI still falls within the ‘poor’ category, and experts anticipate it to persist in this range for the next few days until there is a ‘reversal of winds.’
The recent rise in AQI has been attributed to the dropping temperatures, with experts suggesting that the pollutants are getting trapped within a smaller column as the inverse air layer descends during the winter season. Additionally, the cooling temperatures slow down dispersion, causing pollutants to remain suspended in the air for an extended period.
Shivaji Nagar in the eastern suburbs recorded the worst AQI, crossing the 300-mark at 306, categorizing it as ‘very poor.’ Out of the 26 monitoring stations in Mumbai, 11 recorded AQI levels over 200, falling into the ‘poor’ category. Other areas with elevated AQI include Sewri (298), Ghatkopar (279), Malad West (277), and Kandivali West (268).
Dr. Gufran Beig, senior scientist and project director of the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), explained, “As the temperature is falling, the AQI levels are increasing.” He further highlighted that with wind reversal every five to seven days, Mumbai experiences a shift in air quality, with winds blowing from the land towards the sea.