The air quality in Mumbai has declined, with the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) shifting from the ‘good’ and ‘satisfactory’ categories to ‘moderate’. This shift is attributed to the dry weather and moisture-laden winds carrying stagnant pollutants. Experts predict that air quality is likely to worsen over the next fortnight as colder weather sets in and the festival season kicks off.

Explaining the phenomenon, Dr Gufran Beig, senior scientist and former project director of the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), stated that the delayed onset of La Nina is a significant concern. La Nina typically brings stronger winds and more dynamic atmospheric circulation, which helps disperse pollutants, particularly in northern India. However, La Nina is not expected to develop until late October or November this year. Until then, neutral weather conditions will contribute to stagnant surface winds, worsening the pollution problem, especially in peninsular and western India.