The death toll due to Cyclone Ochki is rising in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and many fishermen in the States are yet to be traced. About 1,098 passengers have been stranded in the ports of Kochi, Kozhikode and Mangaluru since November 30 and poeple on the coastline have been living in fear.
Marked difference
However, Ockhi has brought good news in its wake to Navi Mumbai. Before Ockhi set foot in Navi Mumbai on Monday, the city’s score on the air quality index (AQI) was 310, marking ‘very poor’ air quality. However on Thursday, data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research showed that air quality improved to a ‘good’ score of 71. Anil Mohekar, regional officer of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, said, “Cyclone Ockhi has brought fresh air to Navi Mumbai and improved its air quality. The residents are able to feel the difference.”
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As good as Mahabaleshwar
Meanwhile, environmental activists claim that Navi Mumbai’s air quality is currently as good as that of Mahabaleshwar. Mangesh Ranawade, an environmentalist, said, “The air is so clean that Navi Mumbai feels like Mahabaleshwar. Unfortunately, this good spell won’t last long and the air will be back to being polluted.”
Mr. Ranawade said Ockhi had ensured that the city registered its best air quality this year. He said, “The wind coupled with rain played a role in cleaning the air. Pollutants were diluted and particulate matter settled down owing to heavy rain. But come Friday, the fog can increase the AQI level.”
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The air quality monitoring stations of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation collect real-time data on the presence of suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the air. SPM is a combination of smaller particulate matter (PM 2.5) and bigger particulate matter (PM 10). The maximum permissible concentration of PM 2.5 is 60 micrograms per cubic metre and of PM 10 is 100 micrograms per cubic metre.
AQI between 0-100 poses little or no risk to health, but AQI between 201 to 300 can cause respiratory issues.