India, Oct. 26 -- Pakistan recorded 3,730 farm fires in the 10 days ending October 25, the highest count for that period in available records dating to 2012, raising alarm among meteorologists who warn the smoke plume will likely sweep across North India once wind patterns shift in the coming days.

The warning comes as Delhi's air quality returned to "very poor" levels late on Saturday evening. The Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed to 292 (poor) at 4pm on Saturday, up from 275 a day earlier, marking a deterioration after a brief respite on Friday when stronger winds helped flush out Diwali firecracker pollution that had led to several days of 300-plus AQI. By 11pm on Saturday, the index had climbed back above 300 to settle at 310 (very poo...