Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Delhi AQI Turns Moderate as Stubble Burning Hits Six States
Delhi’s air became less clean on September 30.
Its AQI was 129, which is called moderate.
Satellites found 19 fires where crop leftovers were being burned.
Seven fires each were found in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
Four were found in Madhya Pradesh and one in Haryana.
There were 114 such fires across six study states from September 15 to 30.
Farmers burn leftover plants to prepare fields for wheat and vegetables.
Weak winds may make it harder for pollution to move away, so Delhi’s air could remain moderately polluted for several days.
Delhi recorded an AQI of 129 on September 30, moving into the moderate category after five satisfactory-air days.
Satellites detected 19 crop-residue fires on Wednesday, including seven each in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, four in Madhya Pradesh and one in Haryana.
Between September 15 and 30, 114 residue-burning events were recorded across six study states, led by Punjab with 59.
The IIT Delhi monitoring station recorded a poor AQI of 207 at 6 pm, while 42 of 45 stations reported moderate air quality.
Forecasts called for moderate air quality through October 3 and the following six days because weak winds could limit pollutant dispersion.
- Who
- Delhi residents, farmers in the six study states, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, the Central Pollution Control Board and air-quality forecasters are involved.
- What
- Delhi’s air quality fell to the moderate category as satellite data recorded crop-residue fires across six study states.
- When
- September 30; 114 residue-burning events were recorded between September 15 and 30.
- Where
- Delhi and the six study states identified in the data: Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi.
- Why
- Farmers burn crop residue to clear fields before cultivating wheat and vegetables; weak winds are expected to hinder pollutant dispersion.
- Delhi AQI
- 129, classified as moderate on September 30
- Wednesday fires
- 19 satellite-detected residue-burning events
- September 15–30 total
- 114 residue-burning events across six study states
- State totals
- Punjab 59; Uttar Pradesh 32; Madhya Pradesh 17; Haryana 3; Rajasthan 2; Delhi 1
- Monitoring stations
- The IIT Delhi station recorded 207, classified as poor; 42 of 45 stations recorded moderate air quality
- Forecast
- Moderate air quality was expected from October 1 to 3 and during the subsequent six days
- Dispersion conditions
- The ventilation index was expected below 6,000 square metres per second, with average wind speeds below 10 kmph
