Mumbai is set to witness a hot and dry day on Tuesday, marking the end of the winter season and the onset of warmer temperatures.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city is likely to record a maximum temperature of around 34 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 19 degrees Celsius.
The city’s air quality remains moderate, with an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 106 as per the Sameer App. Officials warned that this level of air pollution may cause breathing discomfort for people with lung disorders, asthma, and heart conditions.
AQI across Mumbai
Bandra Kurla Complex: 138
Borivali East: 108
Byculla: 88
Andheri East: 136
Colaba: 87
Deonar: 137
Ghatkopar: 122
Kandivali West: 118
Bhandup West: 101
Malad West: 120
Mazgaon: 92
Mulund West: 101
Sewri: 102
AQI in surrounding regions
Thane: 111
Kalyan: 108
Navi Mumbai: 118
Officials advised sensitive groups, including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or heart conditions, to limit outdoor exposure and take necessary precautions.
Poor air quality tests examinees; Mumbai schools take steps so they can breathe easily
While Mumbai has been grappling with poor air quality, dust, and visibility troubles, these issues are of special concern to exam-bound students who travel to their respective centres nearly daily.
CBSE, ICSE, and Maharashtra State Board students, several of whom commute to sit for the Std X and XII exams, stated that while trains and the Metro are convenient, they also tend to avoid these modes of transport owing to the rush.
With annual exams around the corner for school students, many institutions have made plans to ensure students are healthy.
While air purifiers have already been the norm for many Mumbai schools, institutions are also integrating indoor plants, breathing exercises, and awareness camps for students and teachers.
“We have shifted sports activities indoors and are staggering dispersal timings to help students avoid peak pollution in the late afternoon. With exams around the corner, our infirmaries are on standby, and staff and teachers are sensitised to identify early symptoms of discomfort. We are agreeing to parents’ requests by permitting inhalers, offering flexible seating, and allowing medical leave where necessary,” said Arlene Gonsalves, a Chemistry Teacher from Gopi Birla Memorial School.
