Stubble-burning, low wind speed choke Delhi; AQI slumps to ‘very poor’ category

The air quality in Delhi has taken a sharp turn for the worse, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) spiking to 303 — placing it in the “very-poor” category.

This decline followed two key contributing factors: a sudden change in wind direction bringing pollution from west and north-western regions, and a higher share of smoke from crop-residue burning (stubble-burning) in nearby states like Haryana and Punjab. The share of pollution attributed to stubble-burning jumped from 1.6 % on Friday to 9.03 % on Saturday.

Wind speeds remain very low (around 3–5 km/h), which means pollutants are not being dispersed effectively — compounding the smog problem.

Authorities forecast that the “very-poor” air quality status is likely to continue for the next few days, as meteorological conditions stay unfavourable and pollution sources remain active.

Read the original copy here: Stubble-burning, low wind speed choke Delhi; AQI slumps to ‘very poor’ category