Overview
- Central Pollution Control Board data showed Delhi’s AQI rising to roughly 335–355 on Saturday morning, with pockets such as Anand Vihar and Bawana entering the ‘severe’ band above 400.
- Decision Support System projections put the farm-fire share of PM2.5 near 31% on Saturday and Sunday, after an estimated single-digit contribution on Friday with transport as the top local source at around 17%.
- Satellite and agency counts logged a surge in recent farm fires, including 351 in Punjab on Thursday, with additional incidents across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan feeding regional smoke.
- Forecasts from IITM/IMD expect very poor dispersion for several days as cool northwesterly winds and shallow fog trap pollutants despite occasional daytime wind pick-up.
- Authorities expanded near-term measures, including intensified cleaning and staggered government and MCD work hours from Nov 15 to Feb 15, while private monitors reported hazardous peaks far above CPCB’s 24-hour averages.