Thick Smog engulfs the city amid worsening air quality in Mumbai on November 9, 2026.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Mumbai’s Air Quality Index rose sharply on Diwali, from 131 in the ‘moderate’ category at 1 p.m. to 278 in the ‘poor’ category by 10 p.m., according to the Central Pollution Control Board dashboard and the Air Quality Index website. The readings covered Bhandup West, Borivali, Govandi, Chembur, Chandivali, Bandra East, BKC, and Bandra West, with Bhandup West recording 276 and Borivali 269.

The 1 p.m. reading of 131 was below the Diwali afternoon figures of 194 in the year before, 181 in 2024 and 149 in 2023, per the dashboard.

Professor Gufran Baig of NIAS said winds from the sea increased in speed over 48 hours. A change in wind direction took place over 48 hours. The process controlled pollutants in the air. He said pollutants from firecrackers would remain in the air after bursting at night and pollution could rise. The prediction came true.

Readings at 10 p.m.: Bhandup West 276; Borivali 269; Govandi 265; Chembur 258; Chandivali 257; Bandra East 242; BKC 242; Bandra West 242. Bhakti Park (Wadala), Charkop, Chandivali, Dahisar East and Gavdevi recorded readings in the 200–300 band. The index places 200–300 in a band above 200.

A court order bans the bursting of firecrackers on roads, streets, and places used by the public. Firecrackers burst from the evening in Mumbai, the eastern suburbs, and the western suburbs. Firecrackers that produce noise and smoke make up a portion of the bursts.

Published – November 10, 2026 03:22 pm IST