Stubble burning pushes Delhi's air into the very poor range

Delhi's air quality has slipped into the very poor range, with the city's air quality index (AQI) reaching 348 on 3 November. Monitoring agencies say smoke from stubble burning in neighbouring states is a growing share of the pollution.

The index stood at 261 on 1 November and 324 on 2 November. By 4pm on Tuesday, 4 November, the city's AQI had reached 350. Jahangirpuri recorded a hazardous AQI of 462 at the same time.

Monitoring agencies warned that the city's air may get worse. They linked the rise to higher emissions from stubble burning, the practice of setting fire to crop residue left in fields after harvest, in nearby states.

Experts expect poor air quality to continue for about six more days across the region, because weather conditions are unfavourable.

Delhi sees a sharp rise in pollution every autumn, when farm fires in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh coincide with cooler weather that traps smoke close to the ground. Residents of the capital usually feel the effects first in their breathing and eyes.

The main practical effect is on health, especially for children, older people and anyone with asthma or heart conditions. Those who must go outside are generally advised to limit strenuous activity while readings remain in the poor and very poor ranges.

It is not yet known how much of the city's pollution comes from stubble burning on a given day. Authorities have not yet announced new steps in response to the readings. The air quality outlook will depend on wind and weather over the coming days.