Mumbai Weather Update : Smog Engulfs Mumbai Again As AQI Nears Hazardous Levels
Mumbai : On February 9, 2026, Mumbai experienced a dramatic shift in air quality as a dense smog layer engulfed the city, pushing pollution levels into the ‘Severe’ category after a brief spell of clear skies earlier in the morning. According to air quality data, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) surged to 304, indicating hazardous conditions that pose a risk to public health. Hindu Colony recorded an extremely high AQI of 418, while several other localities also registered dangerously elevated levels of pollutants.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast partly cloudy skies with lingering haze throughout the day. Temperatures were expected to range between 18 °C and 33 °C, similar to recent days, offering little relief from the persistent smog. As pollution levels climbed, visibility decreased significantly in many parts of the metropolis, underscoring the city’s ongoing struggle with air contamination.
While some areas showed comparatively lower readings such as parts of central Mumbai where AQI levels remained in the ‘Moderate’ range many zones, including major transit hubs and residential suburbs, were firmly in the unhealthy or severe brackets. These fluctuations reflect sharp contrasts in air quality across different neighbourhoods.
Health experts have repeatedly warned that prolonged exposure to such high pollution can lead to respiratory issues, eye irritation and longer-term health complications, particularly for vulnerable groups like children, the elderly and those with pre-existing lung conditions.
The sudden deterioration in air quality highlights a broader pattern of seasonal smog and stagnant atmospheric conditions that have plagued Mumbai during winter months in past years, raising questions about the effectiveness of efforts to mitigate pollution in India’s financial capital.