Mumbai has defeated Delhi in the pollution battle and snatched its position of most polluted city in India, on two consecutive days starting Sunday.
The US embassy's air quality index (AQI) readings taken on Sunday morning (10 am) around its embassy in New Delhi and consulate in Mumbai certified that Mumbai is more polluted than Delhi.
AQI readings showed that particulate matter in Mumbai stood at 183, against 173 in Delhi. On Monday, the readings were 201 in Mumbai and 197 in Delhi.
Reason for high levels of Pollution
Such dangerous levels of pollution could be attributed to the remnants of ‘haboob’ (Arabic word for intense dust storm). Haboob originated in the Arabian Peninsula and crossed the Arabian Sea to enter Mumbai. It has enveloped Mumbai in a haze since Sunday, heightening respiratory problems among the residents.
The haze in the atmosphere definitely contains PM (Particulate Matter) 10 and PM 2.5. As no rain is likely till April 13 or 14, most parts of Maharashtra could experience high pollution levels on Tuesday and Wednesday. Remnants of the storm have elevated PM 2.5 particles from moderate to poor/very poor category.
PM 2.5 is considered more dangerous for human beings as it could worsen the plight of patients suffering from heart diseases, respiratory problems, or lung cancer. PM 10 is basically dust in suspension and affects aviation.
Picture credit: The Hindu
