Mumbai weather: Winter chill gives way to toxic smog

Maharashtra: Mumbai woke up to a cold winter morning on Wednesday. The sky was clear blue, a cool breeze blew, and temperatures dropped significantly, bringing some brief respite. The morning hours were refreshing and pleasant, raising hopes for a comfortable day ahead. However, this relief was short-lived as a thick blanket of smog gradually enveloped the city, reducing visibility and once again exacerbating Mumbai’s air pollution crisis.

The IMD had predicted a clear and pleasant day, with minimum and maximum temperatures expected to range between 19 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius. Despite the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) forecast of good weather, air quality soon became the city’s biggest concern. By morning, the air was shrouded in haze in many parts of Mumbai.