Smog woes grip Mumbai: Respiratory distress amid rising AQI

MUMBAI: Aadesh Kolarkar, an asthma patient living in Malad has stopped venturing out on his morning strolls as he said till the time there is a bright Sun, it gets difficult for him to breath easy due to smoggy air. Brajesh Upadhyay, a Colaba resident said his wife had taken to respiratory tract infection due to sudden increase in moisture after the recent colder days.Even though an average air quality of Mumbai (190) remained towards the higher end of moderate level on Friday, some of the major areas showed it in a poor range thus triggering irritation among Mumbaikars especially those who indulged in heavy exertions and have respiratory health issues.Around 8 out of 28 localities where air quality monitoring stations are positioned showed a poor AQI on the pollution control board's app while one showed a very poor range. According to expert the drop in wind speed and frequent ups and downs in temperature and flow of moist air from across the sea have held the smoke and dust from vehicles and construction sites in air instead of blowing it away leading to a rise in AQI.The areas which showed poor (200 to 300) AQI included Shivaji Nagar Govandi, Sewri, Ghatkopar, Kandivali West, BKC, Navy Nagar in Colaba, Malad West, and Sion while Deonar's AQI was in the very poor range (300 to 400). The areas which had higher moderate AQI included T2 airport, IITM BKC, Mazagaon, Kandivali East, Kherwadi in Bandra East, Byculla, Mindspace Malad, and Chembur, Siddharth Nagar Worli, Khindipada in Bhandup, Vasai West, Navi Mumbai and Borivali East. Forecast suggest moderate to poor range over the next two days.