Overview
- Mumbai woke to dense haze on Nov. 26 with overall readings near 200–250 and multiple pockets above 200, while recent hotspots such as Wadala Truck Terminal and Chembur crossed 300 at times.
- BMC has deployed ‘positive’ GRAP interventions including misting, water spraying and deep cleaning, issued notices to 59 construction and RMC sites, and is preparing selective shutdowns if poor readings persist.
- Civic flying squads traced local polluters, including an illegal night‑time bakery in Mazgaon, where AQI eased from above 300 to about 252 after targeted actions.
- Doctors report a rise in respiratory complaints, with clinicians noting more cases of breathlessness and asthma exacerbations during the multi‑day pollution spell.
- Experts differ on any role of Ethiopian volcanic ash, as SAFAR’s Gufran Beig sees a possible supporting effect while IMD and private forecasters say high‑altitude ash is unlikely to affect surface air and has largely cleared; CREA’s satellite analysis highlights a wider national PM2.5 crisis with Delhi worst and 447 of 749 districts breaching annual norms.