Meanwhile, the air quality in Ambala was recoded to be satisfactory with PM 2.5 at 87. Environmental experts said besides farm fires, vehicular pollution, construction activities and road dust were contributing to air pollution. Dr Dipti Grover, Assistant Professor, Institute of Environmental studies, Kurukshetra University, said poor air quality in Kurukshetra and nearby areas could be attributed to the harvest season as crop residue burning and grain dust were contributing factors. Cold weather played a role as it tends to trap pollutants close to the ground, leading to a build-up of pollutants and a decrease in air quality.

Nitin Mehta, Regional Officer, State Pollution Control Board, Kurukshetra, said: “Despite lower farm fire incidents, the air quality has turned poor. Present climatic conditions are major contributors.”

Meanwhile, stopping farmers from burning paddy stubble continues to be a big challenge. Today, the HARSAC reported 58 stubble-burning incidents, taking the tally this season to 871 in the state so far. Fatehabad district has reported the maximum 128 cases, followed by Ambala (114), Kaithal (113), Jind (110), Kurukshetra (102), Karnal (55), Hisar (55), Yamunanagar (53), Sonepat (49), Palwal (45), Panipat (18), Sirsa (13), Rohtak (seven), Jhajjar (four), Bhiwani (two), Faridabad (two) and Panchkula (one).

In Ambala, 16 officials, including tehslidars, gram sachivs, BDPOs and Block Agriculture Officers have been asked to explain the farm fires in their respective areas, said Dr Jasvinder Saini, Deputy Director Agriculture, Ambala.