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

रोहतक में प्रदूषण का स्तर लगातार बढ़ता जा रहा है। गुरुवार शाम जिले का एक्यूआई 357 तक पहुंच गया, जो दिल्ली के आनंद विहार (305) से भी ज्यादा रहा। सिर्फ 24 घंटों में ही प्रदूषण में 109 अंकों की बढ़ोतरी दर्ज की गई। वाहनों और औद्योगिक इकाइयों से निकलने वाले धुएं के कारण शहर की हवा लगातार खराब हो रही है। विशेषज्ञों के अनुसार, तापमान में गिरावट के साथ प्रदूषण और बढ़ने की आशंका है।

The Haryana Pollution Control Board's data for 28 cities, including Rohtak, has raised questions about its accuracy. Despite monitoring pollution levels, concerns have been raised about the reliability of the figures, especially regarding air quality in rural areas. Authorities are under scrutiny for not addressing these issues properly.

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

Delhi’s air quality has deteriorated sharply over the past week, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) remaining in the ‘severe’ category for several days. TOI looks at some of the measures in place and how effective they are in the fight against pollution.

Is cloud seeding the solution to Delhi’s pollution crisis? Apparently not. Or will odd-even, smog towers or water sprinkling make a real difference? As Delhi gasps for breath once again, govts, citizens and experts weigh in with a range of measures — each with its own promise and pitfalls.

Delhi saw no rainfall after a costly cloud seeding experiment. Scientists explain why the efforts failed and what can actually improve air quality.

The Haryana Pollution Control Board (HPCB) set up a monitoring station in Rohtak around 2008–09 to collect air pollution data, but it has remained non-functional for nearly 15 years. Covered with metal sheets and lying idle, the station has failed to provide accurate pollution readings for the city. The report criticises HPCB for neglecting maintenance and failing to install or operate modern monitoring systems.

The latest spike coincides with a sharp rise in stubble burning cases in Punjab, which reported 442 farm fires on Saturday -- the highest single-day count so far this season

Delhi's PM2.5 levels were below 1% for most of the season, with a recent increase to around 2% in a few days, as of early November. This recent rise is attributed to the typical seasonal increase in farm fires, with a peak expected in early November.

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.

This October seemed to promise clean air, with the average air quality index (AQI) remaining below 200 (moderate) in the city. But with most monitoring stations going dark throughout the month, a true picture of AQI is guesswork. Gurgaon ended Oct with an AQI of 195 on Friday. At first glance, this might appear to be an improvement, but Gurgaon saw a decline in air quality going by the data.

The city’s air quality index (AQI), which Thursday had plunged to its worst October level in three years at 373, unexpectedly improved Friday to 218 — a drop of 155 points.

Delhi's air quality dramatically improved, dropping from a three-year October high to 'moderate' levels. This significant shift, without rain, has experts puzzled. The government credits extensive enforcement teams, anti-smog guns, and road sweeping. While meteorological factors like lower humidity and wind shifts played a role, the full reasons for this sudden improvement remain under investigation.

Most Monitors Went Dark Last Month, Teri Gram Stn Still Down

Experts say cloud seeding is not a permanent solution to Delhi's deadly smog

Delhi experienced its most polluted October day in three years on Thursday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) rising to 373 in the ‘very poor’ category as a thick haze blanketed the city.

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