Layer of haze envelops Mumbai; AQI dips to 'poor' category

Mumbai AQI falls to 'poor' post-Diwali; HC permits firecrackers for 3 hrs. AQI in 'poor' category (234); visuals from Shivaji Park showed revellers in large numbers. SC emphasised blanket ban on fireworks across states. HC passed interim directions to mitigate air pollution.

A layer of haze enveloped Mumbai as the Air Quality Index (AQI) fell into the 'poor' category post-Deepavali celebrations. According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR-India), the overall AQI of the city was recorded at 234 which falls under the 'poor' category.

The air quality of the Borivali area stood at 307 while that of Kalanagar was recorded at 312. The AQI in Chembur was recorded at 334 and that of the Worli area was recorded at 134, as per SAFAR-India.

This comes after people engaged in heavy fireworks on Deepavali night. Visuals from Shivaji Park showed revellers in large numbers lighting up crackers.

Earlier this week, the overall AQI of the city stood at 149, under the 'moderate' category.

Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool for effective communication of air quality status to people in terms, which are easy to understand. It transforms complex air quality data of various pollutants into a single number (index value), nomenclature, and colour.

The AQI from 0 to 100 is considered good, while from 100 to 200 it is moderate, from 200 to 300 it is poor, and from 300 to 400 it is said to be very poor and from 400 to 500 or above it is considered as severe.