Delhi's nitrogen dioxide levels have soared to three times the safe limit, contributing to a worsening air quality crisis amid hazardous PM2.5 and PM10 levels.

Persistent cold northwesterly winds were expected to dip the mercury by 1-2°C over the weekend in the national capital and make nights colder

Air pollution levels in Delhi surged by more than 100 points on the Air Quality Index (AQI) on Thursday as smoke from farm fires in Punjab and firecrackers burst overnight combined with local emissions, calm winds, and falling temperatures to blanket the city in thick haze.

The grey haze that descended late on Wednesday persisted through Thursday morning, as pollution made eyes water, throats scratchy and skin itchy

The Decision Support System (DSS), which estimates how much different sources contribute to Delhi’s PM 2.5 levels, last provided data on Friday

The Decision Support System (DSS), which estimates how much different sources contribute to Delhi’s PM 2.5 levels, last provided data on Friday

Experts attributed the dip to a change in the wind direction, which led to a higher contribution of stubble burning as well

Data shows the contribution of stubble burning to Delhi’s air pollution had increased from 1.6% on Friday to 9.03% on Saturday.

Thick haze shrouds city even as AQI stays ‘poor’; experts blame temperature inversion, stagnant air and weak wind dispersion for trapped pollutants.

Experts termed cloud-seeding as a costly and largely ineffective experiment that distracts from tackling the real sources of pollution

Experts termed cloud-seeding as a costly and largely ineffective experiment that distracts from tackling the real sources of pollution

Forecasts show the Delhi AQI is likely to stay “very poor” on Monday, too, before possibly improving again as wind speed may increase marginally.

Experts attributed the current spike to local factors and said the Pakistan fires have not yet contributed to Delhi’s pollution due to current wind patterns

Experts have warned that smoke from farm fires in Pakistan could soon affect Delhi’s air. A western disturbance is expected between 27 and 29 October, after which winds from the northwest may carry smoke and dust towards the city. Pakistan has already recorded nearly 6,000 farm fires this month — one of the highest counts in recent years — while Punjab in India has seen fewer fires so far.

Sunil Dahiya from EnviroCatalysts said that slow and changing winds have allowed pollution from nearby areas such as Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Sonipat, and Gautam Buddha Nagar to gather over Delhi, causing a slight rise in pollution levels. Meteorologists added that once winds change, the air quality in Delhi could worsen, with hazy skies and high AQI levels expected.

Post-monsoon showers in early October kept city's skies blue and the AQI between “satisfactory” and “moderate” levels, according to CPCB. But not in Anand Vihar

Throughout the day, the real-time air quality continued to improve; it was 290 at 9am, 286 at 11am and 272 at 6pm

From Oct 20 onward, ozone and CO disappeared from the AQI charts, replaced by particulate matter – tiny, hazardous particles that penetrate deep into the lungs.

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%