Clear skies and dry weather are set to continue across Mumbai city and its suburbs through the weekend, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The forecast for both Saturday and Sunday predicts mainly clear skies, with maximum and minimum temperatures likely to hover around 35 degrees Celsius and 26 degrees Celsius, respectively.
On Saturday, the IMD has issued a dry weather forecast for much of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, including Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar.
However, southern districts such as Raigad and Ratnagiri may not be as dry. These areas are expected to receive light to moderate rain or thunderstorms, as per the IMD, these conditions are very likely. Residents in these districts are advised to stay prepared for potential rain and storm activity.
As the post-monsoon season begins to wind down, Mumbai and its neighbouring regions appear set for mostly calm conditions, while coastal Maharashtra may continue to see brief spells of rain.
AQI hits 367 as Delhi continues to face very poor air quality
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital continued to be in the `Very poor` category on Friday morning, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), reported news agency ANI.
According to the CPCB, the AQI was measured at 367 at 8 am. The highest AQI was recorded in Anand Vihar (370), followed by Wazirpur (328), Jahangirpuri (324), and Akshardham (369).
Meanwhile, several areas in Delhi recorded an AQI above 200, which means the air quality in these localities has turned `Poor`.
Anand Vihar, Bawana, and Chandni Chowk, the AQI was recorded at 276, 367, 310, and 212, respectively. In Dwarka Sec 8, AQI was recorded at 305, Nehru Nagar at 269, IGI Airport (T3) at 221, Rohini at 245, Pusa at 224, and India Gate (200), reported ANI.
The AQI reading is categorised as Good (0-50), Satisfactory (51-100), Moderately Polluted (101-200), Poor (201-300), Very Poor (301-400), and Severe (401-500). Thus, the higher the AQI reading, the unhealthier it is to breathe.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in Delhi-NCR has imposed Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The action comes after the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the region dropped to 211, categorising it as `poor`, according to a statement released by the Commission.
The Commission also considered the predictions of the IMD and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), which forecast poor air quality in the coming days.
This Stage I of GRAP is activated when the AQI ranges between 201 and 300. Under this stage, 27 preventive actions are to be strictly implemented by all relevant agencies across NCR. These include the use of anti-smog guns, water sprinkling, dust suppression measures in road construction, repair projects and maintenance activities.
