Mumbai is set to experience better air quality than New Delhi for the next few days, courtesy good wind speed. Mumbai’s air quality has drastically improved since Friday due to a high wind speed. For most part of the week, it stayed in the red zone due to a raging fire at Deonar dumping ground and Holi bonfires across the city. Whereas Wednesday was one of the worst days for the city in terms of air quality, Friday turned out to be the best in three months. The AQI has dropped from nearly 300 on Wednesday to 140 on Saturday.
On Saturday, Mumbai’s air quality was better than Delhi’s with an AQI of 140. The trend is slated to continue for the next few days, according to AQI data. Mumbai’s AQI will be 143, according to the forecast of SAFAR (System of Air-quality-weather Forecasting and Research).
The forecast of Air Quality Index for Delhi is very poor. Delhi’s AQI was 280 on Saturday. It is expected to be 286 on Sunday. Experts have advised people with heart or lung diseases, older people, and children to reduce any prolonged or heavy exertion. “Sensitive people may experience health effects. Everyone may begin to experience some level of discomfort,” the SAFAR guidelines said.
SAFAR measures air quality at ten centres in Mumbai and its suburbs. On Saturday, all the 10 centres showed moderate to good air quality. The AQI in Worli was the best at 80. But Mazagaon’s AQI stood at 204, one of the worst in the city.