Air quality worsens in Lahore and Delhi, reaching dangerous AQI levels

Amid the already serious issue of air pollution in Delhi-NCR, a new concern has arisen. There is a sharp increase in stubble burning incidents observed in the Punjab province of Pakistan. According to satellite monitoring data, in the first 29 days of October, the number of fire spots related to stubble burning in Punjab, Pakistan, was 4.2 times higher than in Punjab, India.

There is a fear that smoke rising from Punjab, Pakistan, may reach certain areas of India under the influence of northwest winds, thereby exacerbating the already poor atmosphere in Delhi-NCR. Factors contributing to the rise in pollution in Delhi as winter approaches include stubble burning, vehicle exhaust fumes, dust from construction work, industrial emissions, and adverse weather conditions. The increase in fires in Punjab, Pakistan, also raises concerns about regional air quality. However, it is important to understand that not all smoke detected by satellites directly reaches Delhi; its actual impact depends on the direction, speed, altitude, and meteorological conditions of the wind.

According to the environmental monitoring website HamariHawa, the NASA satellite recorded a total of 13,241 fire spots in Punjab, Pakistan, between October 1 and 29, 2026. During the same period, 3,158 hotspots were registered in Punjab, India. Thus, the number of recorded spots in Punjab, Pakistan, was approximately 4.2 times higher than in Punjab, India.

Another important point concerned the last week of October. Out of the total 13,241 spots in Punjab, Pakistan, 6,655 locations were recorded only in the last seven days. This means that about half of all monthly cases occurred in just one week. The most active day was October 29, when 1,327 spots were registered.

This indicates a significant increase in the activity of burning crop residues in Punjab, Pakistan. Nevertheless, there might be a discrepancy between the fire spots detected by satellites and the actual instances of stubble burning, as not every fire is caused by stubble burning.

HamariHawa's analysis revealed significant changes. In 2019, Punjab, India, recorded approximately five times more fire spots compared to Punjab, Pakistan. At that time, 14,002 spots were found in Punjab, India, while 2,908 were found in Punjab, Pakistan.

However, the situation has changed in recent years. According to the report, Punjab, India, reduced the number of satellite-detected crop burning incidents by 95% between 2021 and 2025. Conversely, Punjab, Pakistan, saw a 33% increase in the number of hotspots during the same period (2019 to 2025). In 2025, 12,364 spots were recorded in Punjab, Pakistan, compared to 3,714 in Punjab, India. This suggests that both regions are moving in different directions regarding stubble management. Despite the decline in India, the problem of stubble burning has not disappeared entirely.

Stubble burning incidents in Punjab, Pakistan, are concentrated mainly in rice-producing areas. According to HamariHawa's analysis, Okara recorded the highest number—2,144 spots—between October 1 and 29. Following these were Gujranwala with 1,011 and Nankana Sahib with 1,003 spots.

In these areas, fires are set to quickly clear fields of agricultural residue after the rice harvest. This leads to the emission of large amounts of smoke, carbon particles, and micropollutants into the atmosphere. The smog problem is already serious in Lahore and its surroundings. Now, there is an increased probability that this pollution will reach other areas due to northwest winds.

Wind direction plays a critical role in the pollution of Delhi-NCR. Northwest winds blow from Punjab, Pakistan, and Punjab-Haryana towards Delhi. If stubble burning incidents intensify in these regions, there is a possibility that smoke and fine particles like PM2.5 will reach Delhi. According to reports published on November 3, October 31, and November 1, northwest winds were carrying polluted air from the agricultural areas of Punjab and Haryana towards Delhi. Signs of such transport were also identified through the analysis of meteorological data and previous wind direction. This means that smoke from stubble burning in Pakistan cannot be limited only to border areas. Pollutants can travel long distances depending on wind height and speed. The actual amount of smoke reaching Delhi will be determined by...

The air in the capital city of Delhi has become extremely polluted this season. On Monday morning, a thick haze hung over the city, and pollution levels sharply increased. Although previous rains provided some relief, the air once again turned toxic.

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), at 7:05 AM on Monday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 349, which falls into the 'very poor' category. The average daily AQI on Sunday was 261 (poor), while the day before that it was 117 (moderate). On Friday after the rain, the AQI dropped to 60, marking the cleanest day in October in four years, but the situation worsened again.

Ninety-eight percent of the available data was collected from 58 out of 59 air quality monitoring stations in Delhi. At 36 of these stations, the air was in the 'very poor' category. The Jahangirpuri station was the only one where the AQI reached 417 and entered the 'hazardous' category. Five stations showed a 'moderate' level, and the rest were classified as 'poor.'

In the morning, PM2.5 was the main pollutant at most stations. PM2.5 was the primary source of pollution at 51 of the 58 stations, and PM10 at the remaining seven. CPCB defines air quality as follows: 0-50 — good, 51-100 — satisfactory, 101-200 — moderate, 201-300 — poor, 301-400 — very poor, and 401-500 — hazardous.

According to NASA satellite observations, 1394 instances of field burning were detected in Punjab and Haryana between November 1 and November 1: 1249 in Punjab and 145 in Haryana. Only 171 fires were registered on November 1. Last year, 1861 fires were detected during a similar period. However, this data does not reflect the full picture, as most straw is now burned in the evening. In 2025, about 98 percent of fires occurred after 3:00 PM, compared to 94 percent in 2024. Since the satellite passes around 1:30 PM, evening fires often go unnoticed. These burnings are one of the main external factors affecting the air in Delhi.

The rise in AQI is due to a combination of several scientific reasons. Firstly, there are local pollution sources: vehicle exhaust, factories, construction work, and road dust release pollutants daily. Rain washed away these substances, but as soon as the rain stopped, these sources became active again. Secondly, a significant factor is the smog from straw burning in Punjab and Haryana, which is carried by the wind into Delhi-NCR. Thirdly, and this is a very important factor, are adverse weather conditions. Meteorologist Navdeep Dahiya noted that the wind is blowing from the northwest and has a very low speed, meaning it is calm. With calm winds, pollutants do not disperse and remain in the air for a long time. During winter, temperature inversion is often observed, where the air near the ground remains cold, and a warm layer forms above it. This layer prevents pollutants from rising, causing them to accumulate near the ground surface. PM2.5 particles are very small and can penetrate the lungs, coming from transport, burning, and industry. When the wind is still, these particles easily accumulate, and the AQI rises quickly. With the approach of Diwali, the use of fireworks and burning may intensify pollution.

Meteorologist Navdeep Dahiya warned that the smog season has begun. Most sensors in Delhi-NCR show an AQI above 300, and at night in many places, it approaches 400-500. With calm winds from the northwest, all emissions will remain in the atmosphere for a long time. Favorable weather conditions are not expected for the next seven to ten days, which means a possible further intensification of smog. This year, Delhi last recorded 'very poor' air quality on February 11, when the average AQI was 305; before that, on February 4, it reached 339. The worsening situation in early November is causing concern.

The government is implementing measures to combat smog and is carrying out pollution control measures. Fines amounting to millions of rupees have been imposed in a single day, and many vehicles have been impounded. However, long-term relief is only possible with a reduction in field fires, decreased transport emissions, and favorable weather conditions. Citizens are advised to spend less time outdoors in the morning and evening, use masks, and pay special attention to children and the elderly. Home air purifiers can help. The air in Delhi reached the 'very poor' category for the first time this season. After the relief from the rains, pollution took over again. Straw burning, local emissions, and adverse weather jointly increase the AQI. From a scientific point of view, calm wind and temperature keep pollutants near the ground. The situation may worsen in the coming days. Only caution and collective efforts can bring relief.

When comparing the air quality in four major cities in the country, the air in Delhi was the most polluted on Tuesday. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was 197. In Chennai, this figure reached 143, in Mumbai it was 99, and in Kolkata it was 81. Thus, Delhi ranked first among all four cities, while Kolkata ranked last.

The AQI is a scale that determines the degree of air purity or pollution in a city; the higher the value, the more polluted the air is considered. This is why on October 27, the air in Delhi appeared the most polluted among all four cities.

The specific figures for the four cities were as follows: Delhi — 197, Chennai — 143, Mumbai — 99, and Kolkata — 81. The AQI in Kolkata was the lowest.

Comparing the data for Delhi and Chennai, it is evident that the AQI in Delhi (197) exceeds the figure in Chennai (143) by 54 points. This gap widens even further compared to the figures for Mumbai (99) and Kolkata (81), indicating that the air in Delhi is more polluted than in the other three cities.

In the CPCB graph, AQI levels are divided into different categories. According to this scale, AQI values from 101 to 200 fall into the 'moderate' category. Based on this, the readings for Delhi (197) and Chennai (143) fell into the moderate category. Meanwhile, the figures for Mumbai (99) and Kolkata (81) were below 100, meaning they did not reach the lower boundary of the moderate category.

It is important to note that the CPCB data is based on the 24-hour average value calculated as of around 4:00 PM on Tuesday.