Sonipat has recorded the worst air quality in the country, with pollution levels remaining extremely severe. Due to very low wind speed, smog has settled heavily over the city, and there is no sign of improvement for the next five days.

This is not the first time. Several air monitoring stations continue to face glitches.

Despite Delhi's severe "very poor" air quality, experts note the usual spike in pollution from farm fires in Punjab and Haryana has not yet happened. Its contribution has been minimal, peaking at just 2.6%, meaning the current smog is from local sources like vehicles and industry. This delay is attributed to floods disrupting the harvest and unfavourable wind patterns, pushing the expected surge in smoke to after October 28th.

The contribution of stubble burning in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana has remained negligible this season – below 1% on most days, and peaking at just 2.6%

From October to the first week of November this year, PM2.5 and PM10 levels in Gurgaon were 45% and 77% lower than those in Delhi, respectively.