The pollution levels have gone beyond proportional limits in Noida and Ghaziabad even before Diwali, an indication that it could reach "scary" heights once the festival gets over. Officials of UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) blame the poor air quality in NCR and the smoke reaching the region from raging farm fires in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan for the high pollution levels.

Satellite data accessed through VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) on October 21 show numerous farm fires raging in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. Satellite data show 1,487 farm fires raging in Punjab, 215 in Haryana and 19 in Rajasthan. And, according to the pollution control board, dust from construction sites and traffic as well as from vehicular emissions have contributed to harmful pollutants in the air in Ghaziabad and Noida.

"A continuous breeze in the direction of Delhi and the NCR has enabled the smoke to travel eastwards from the sources of origin. Due to cold weather, pollutants are not getting dispersed quickly in the air. Low visibility owing to the pollutants is expected in the next few days. It could also lead to breathing difficulties,"