Sea breeze gives Mumbai its cleanest Deepavali afternoon air in four years

Mumbai’s air on the afternoon of Deepavali, Sunday, 8 November, was the cleanest it has been on the festival in four years, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, though it was still not clean.

The city’s air quality index (AQI) stood at 131 at 1 p.m. and 132 at 4 p.m. Both readings were taken before the evening’s firecrackers began, and both fall in the CPCB’s “moderate” band, from 101 to 200, in which people with lung or heart conditions and asthma may feel some breathing discomfort.

How it compares

On Deepavali afternoon the city recorded an AQI of 194 in 2025, 181 in 2024 and 149 in 2023.

Mumbai was far better off than the capital. In Delhi, the air was “very poor” through the day and turned “severe” at many monitoring stations by night.

Why the air was better

Atmospheric scientist Gufran Beig credited strong sea breezes, which carry pollutants away from the city. He linked the shift in winds mainly to fluctuations in El Niño conditions.

What’s next

Mr. Beig expects air quality to deteriorate on Monday, 9 November, as smoke from the night’s firecrackers lingers over the city. People with breathing problems, older people and children may want to limit time outdoors if the AQI rises, and should see a doctor if they have trouble breathing.