Delhi’s air quality has deteriorated sharply ahead of Diwali, with pollution levels rising earlier than usual. While stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana remains a major contributor, agricultural fires across Pakistan’s Punjab province are adding to the growing concern.
Satellite data from NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) reveals that Pakistan’s Punjab recorded 13,241 crop-fire incidents between October 1 and 29, compared with 3,158 in Indian Punjab. This marks more than four times the number of fire detections across the border.
Weather conditions are further worsening the situation. Northwesterly winds are carrying smoke towards Delhi-NCR, while low wind speeds and falling temperatures are preventing pollutants from dispersing.
Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed 300 on November 2, entering the ‘very poor’ category. Several monitoring stations even reported ‘severe’ pollution levels.
Authorities have implemented GRAP Stage II measures, including water sprinkling and stricter monitoring of construction activities.
With farm fires continuing on both sides of the border and Diwali approaching, Delhi faces another challenging pollution spell. However, the exact contribution of Pakistani crop fires to the capital’s pollution remains difficult to establish.