This year pollution levels in the month of October initially remained relatively less over Delhi and NCR because of the extended Monsoon and winter rains over neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana. Now, the farmers of Punjab and Haryana are preparing their fields for upcoming Rabi crop and as the window for this preparation is very less, we can expect that peak intensity of stubble burning will commence now and continue until the first week of November.
As of now, winds are north-westerly in nature and are blowing from Punjab and Haryana. Therefore, the smoke of stubble burning will continue over Delhi and NCR along with which, local pollution of Delhi and NCR will also add to this. Now, in the next couple of days Delhi may slip into poor to very poor category of air pollution.
Incidentally Diwali is also around the corner, to be celebrated on November 4, which is in the first week of November. During that time the stubble burning will be at its peak and the combined impact of smoke of stubble burning and the smoke of firecrackers will add to the misery of Delhi. With this, Delhi Pollution may become hazardous or very poor during first week of November.
There are two scenarios, i.e., either the continuous flow of moderate winds from a particular direction or some rainfall can bring down the pollution levels. The second option, however, is ruled out as we do not expect any weather activity for at least next one week or so over northern plains. However, moderate winds are expected to continue from north westerly direction which may give some relief and pollution levels may not reach hazardous levels. So, we can say that rainfall and moderate to strong winds are only solution as of now for or getting rid of pollution.