IMD Issues Yellow Alert For Mumbai As Andheri Records Clean Air Quality Index Of 12
On Sunday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, warning residents in local neighbourhoods including Andheri of potential afternoon and evening thunderstorms. The weather warning came as the city experienced overall subdued monsoon activity, starting the morning with light rain showers and mostly clear skies.
While several parts of South Mumbai, including Marine Drive, Byculla, and Dadar, experienced mild drizzles during the early hours of Sunday, most areas initially saw dry weather accompanied by humid conditions. However, the IMD forecast warned of changing conditions later in the day, predicting rain or thundershowers accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30 to 40 kmph.
Due to the yellow alert, authorities urged citizens to remain cautious while travelling through the city and to avoid waterlogged areas in the event of intense, sudden downpours. Temperatures on Sunday were forecast to range between a minimum of 27°C and a maximum of 34°C, following an early morning temperature of approximately 28°C.
Alongside the subdued rain activity, Mumbai’s overall air quality showed marked improvement. The city's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 38 on Sunday morning, placing Mumbai firmly within the "good" category.
However, pollution levels remained highly uneven across different parts of the city. Andheri recorded an exceptionally clean AQI of 12, making it one of the cleanest areas monitored. Gamdevi also recorded a low AQI of 18, while Worli and Walkeshwar both logged AQI levels of 38. Kandivali West registered an AQI of 40, keeping all of these areas well within the "good" classification.
In contrast, other parts of Mumbai experienced much higher pollution levels. Ghatkopar East emerged as one of the most polluted locations on Sunday morning, recording an AQI of 130, which falls under the "poor" category. Chembur also recorded a "poor" AQI of 110.
Under standard AQI classifications, readings from 0 to 50 are categorised as "good", while readings from 51 to 100 are "moderate". Readings between 101 and 200 fall into the "poor" category, 201 to 300 are "unhealthy", and any levels above 300 are classified as "severe".
