Slight dip in Mumbai's pollution level, air still worse than Diwali

MUMBAI: For yet another day, pollution levels in the city remained alarming as the Deonar dumping ground fire raged on. According to real time monitoring by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), Mumbai recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 318 on Saturday morning.
While it was better compared to Friday evening’s 341, it remained poorer than even on the city’s conventionally worst polluted days like Diwali or New Year’s Eve.The AQI slightly improved in the evening to 306.
Affirming that the city’s heightened pollution levels are a result of the Deonar fire are NASA satellite images of the city. Dr Ritesh Gautam, assistant professor at the Centre of Studies in Resources Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay who collated the images said, “On January 27, there is barely any indication of smoke plumes over Mumbai. However, on January 28 and 29, extensive and widespread smoke plumes are found blanketing much of Mumbai. The apparently thick smoke is not just restricted to the origin of fires/burning (over Deonar), but the smoke plumes are found to be transported across Mumbai, and in turn moving over the Arabian Sea and coastal areas of Mumbai.”
Gautam added that wind patterns were affecting how the smoke was being dispersed. “For the first two days, north-east winds pushed the smoke towards South Mumbai. The plume direction changed a little on Saturday and the intensity may not be as extensive as on January 28 and 29. However even on Saturday, it appeared the smog is more prominent around the dump and appears to be extending to the areas between Chembur and Kurla,” he said.
Experts said pollution levels will reduce only a day or two after the fire has been doused. “Increase in PM 10 levels is due to open burning, which is happening in Deonar. This affects visibility, pollution levels shoot up and there are health hazards. Hence, we have issued a health warning asking people to take precautionary measures like wearing a mask,” said Neha Parkhi, senior programme officer, SAFAR.
Residents around Deonar said they were extremely worried about their health. “We are breathing smoke with no idea what it comprises. We are all coughing, our eyes are watering, while our clothes and hair are smelling of smoke. I have several friends in the area who are experiencing the same issues with sore throats. The BMC must convert the area into a nature park like the Maharashtra Nature Park,” said a resident, Priya Fonseca.
Citizens living far from the fire also said they were taking precautions. “We have been trying to keep windows closed for as long as possible. Since it is a weekend, we haven’t had to step out early in the morning,” said Vaishali Bhatia, a resident of Sion.
SAFAR has forecast Mumbai’ s air quality will worsen on Sunday, with a predicted AQI of 311.