Delhi air quality improves to moderate as harvest season stubble burning spreads

Air quality in Delhi has shifted to moderate levels as the post-harvest season progresses, though agricultural residue burning continues to pose challenges across northern India. Monitoring agencies detected 114 stubble-burning events between mid-September and the end of the month across six states in the region.

Punjab reported the highest concentration of burning incidents with 59 cases, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 32 documented events. Madhya Pradesh accounted for 17 incidents, while Haryana and other states reported smaller numbers of residue-burning activities during the period.

The seasonal practice of stubble burning intensifies during India's harvest cycle, typically from September through November, as farmers clear agricultural land for the next planting season. This practice has long been identified as a significant contributor to air pollution in northern India, particularly affecting major metropolitan areas including Delhi and its surrounding regions.

Authorities have been monitoring air quality parameters closely and tracking stubble-burning locations to assess their impact on regional air pollution levels. The moderate air quality reading represents an improvement from more severe conditions that often emerge during peak burning season.