Delhi’s air quality deteriorated sharply on Tuesday, with the average AQI reaching 350 by 4 pm and 10 monitoring stations recording levels above 400, as the city and the wider National Capital Region faced thick morning haze and weakening winds.
The Central Pollution Control Board recorded the worst air quality at Jahangirpuri, where the AQI reached 452, placing it in the ‘severe’ category. Delhi’s overall AQI was in the ‘very poor’ range, while the city’s air quality continued a three-day decline from 261 on November 1 to 324 on November 2 and 350 on November 3.
The latest reading was the city’s worst since an AQI of 378 was recorded on January 20 this year. The deterioration has been accompanied by a rise in fine particulate pollution. According to the report, the estimated contribution of stubble burning to Delhi’s PM2.5 concentration rose from 8.583% on November 2 to 15.301% on November 3.
The Decision Support System forecasts that the contribution from farm fires could rise further to 20.057% on November 4 and 22.207% on November 5. The estimates come as the annual crop-residue burning season continues across parts of north India. The report also notes that satellite data shows fewer farm-fire incidents this year than in several previous years.
Between September 15 and November 2, a total of 3,535 farm-fire incidents were recorded across the states listed in the report. Punjab accounted for the highest number at 1,612, followed by Rajasthan with 738, Madhya Pradesh with 614, Uttar Pradesh with 349, Uttarakhand with 176, Haryana with 44 and Delhi with two incidents.
The figures remain substantially below the levels recorded in earlier years over the same period. The report cites 51,822 incidents in 2020, 24,583 in 2021, 26,490 in 2022 and 4,993 in 2025. It also states that farm fires generally occur between September 15 and November 30.
Weather conditions are expected to keep pressure on air quality through the week. The India Meteorological Department has warned of morning haze in Delhi and the NCR until November 9. Wind speeds are expected to remain low during the morning and evening, reducing the dispersal of pollutants. Winds are also forecast to remain north-westerly until November 6.
The report said firecracker emissions during Diwali could further add to the pollution burden. The immediate forecast for Delhi’s air quality will therefore depend on the interaction between local emissions, crop-residue burning, wind movement and atmospheric conditions over the coming days.
