Mumbai schools shut as city battles thick smog for 5th consecutive day

QUICK PILL

• Over 70 government schools in Mumbai remained closed on Monday as a thick blanket of smog continued to engulf the city for the fifth consecutive day.

• The city has been been battling the smog since 28 January, after a massive fire at the city\'s largest dump yard in Deonar.

• The smog has been accompanied by severe air pollution. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday ordered an enquiry into the matter.

Over 70 government schools in Mumbai remained closed on Monday as a thick blanket of smog continued to engulf the city for the fifth consecutive day.

Mumbaikars have been battling the smog since 28 January, after a fire at the city's largest dump yard in Deonar.

The smog has been accompanied by severe air pollution - The Indian Express reported that the city's Air Quality Index was pegged at 341 as on Friday - the worst level of pollution seen in recent months.

According to The Hindu, the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), Pune has forecast that the air quality index (AQI) for PM2.5 is likely to be in the 'very poor' category and for PM10 it is likely to be moderate - on 1 February and the next three days.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday ordered an enquiry into the matter. The Bombay Municipal Corporation authorities have reportedly implied that the fire was an attempt at sabotage. An FIR has also been filed against unknown persons in the case.While the fire was contained on Saturday, the smog refuse to relent. Residents in Chembur, Deonar and Ghatkopar have been adivsed to cover their nose and mouths.

The Hindu also reported an increase in the number of patients thronging Navi Mumbai hospitals complaining about respiratory issues.

Mumbaikaars took to social media to express their horror at the unrelenting smog. Take a look:

Since 4 days #Deonar fire at the Mumbai city's waste dumping ground is emitting toxic gases creating #smog & @MCGM_BMC is quiet. #DeonarFire

- Kunal Jhaveri (@kunaljhaveri) February 1, 2016

CLEARLY MISTAKEN. Much worse in just one hour. This is WORSE than yesterday #MumbaiSmokeCloud pic.twitter.com/ocQEsIrAsC

- Saurabh Kanwar (@kanwarsation) January 31, 2016

Sigh. Another day, more choking. Deonar at 7.30 #MumbaiSmokeCloud #mumbaismog pic.twitter.com/02bNa8hwcB

- Irshad Daftari (@daftari) January 30, 2016

#MumbaiSmog corporators escape to Andamans while the city chokes

- P K Mallik (@MallikPk) January 30, 2016

This reminds me of a song from Hum Aapke Hain Koun- Dikhta nai dikhta nai dikhta nai! #mumbaismog pic.twitter.com/f1eWuR8OMn

- Kiran Kotrial (@KiranKotrial) January 28, 2016

@Dev_Fadnavis Your precious daughter is breathing the same air that mine is. U are the only one who can do something #DeonarFire #mumbaismog

- MumbaiKar (@MumbaiFedUp) January 31, 2016

Bad bas smog in Mumbai, you can smell the smoke in the air #pollution pic.twitter.com/iEjWgs4y66

- Abhiijt Raja (@abhijitraja) January 28, 2016