Mumbai's overall air quality index deteriorated on Thursday with several areas being covered in a blanket of smog. Andheri was the worst hit among the pockets with PM 2.5 AQI being recorded at 411 — the worst air quality this year. Experts say the PM 2.5 level is likely to remain high for the next three days. According to data of System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), which monitors Air Quality Index (AQI) at 10 stations, the city's overall AQI was 295 (poor category), with PM 2.5 of 125, which falls in 'very poor' category. PM 2.5 is considered one of the most dangerous pollutants due to its health impact. Dr Gufran Beig, Project Director, SAFAR, attributed the dismal AQI to receding cold waves in the northern and western part of India, which introduces a lot of moisture in the air, resulting in increased pollution. "The PM pollutants suspended in the air get trapped in the moisture, creating a blanket of haze in several areas with high PM2.5 level," he said Monitoring stations across the city which reported very high PM 2.5 AQI on Thursday are — Malad (350), Andheri (411), BKC (387), Mazgaon (311), Navi Mumbai (324). On Thursday, the maximum temperature recorded was 31.3 degrees Celsius, while the minimum was 14.7 degrees Celsius. WORST HIT

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