Ludhiana, Nov. 14 -- The district's air quality deteriorated again on Friday as the Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed to 287 and remained in the 'poor' category, a day after the city experienced a brief respite from pollution. The AQI had improved to 206 on Wednesday before rising to 284 late Thursday night and climbed further on Friday.

The deterioration comes even as paddy harvesting in the district is nearing completion, with nearly 98% of the 2.6 lakh hectares under paddy cultivation already harvested. However, stubble burning incidents continue to be reported, taking the cumulative count to 284 by November 12. With only 2% of the crop left to be harvested, farm fires remain a concern even towards the end of the harvesting season.

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