Farm fires spike during Diwali as Delhi air quality plummets

Agricultural fires in Punjab's paddy fields have surged during the Diwali festivities, coinciding with a sharp deterioration in air quality across Delhi and surrounding areas. The timing of the increased burning has prompted Delhi government officials to allege that farmers may be deliberately escalating field fires during the holiday period.

The spike in farm fires has contributed significantly to elevated Air Quality Index (AQI) readings in Delhi, with measurements entering the severe category in recent days. Meteorological conditions typical of late October and early November—characterized by slower wind speeds and temperature inversions—have compounded the impact of agricultural emissions on the capital region's air quality.

Farm burning in Punjab remains an annual challenge during the post-harvest season, as cultivators clear stubble from rice paddies ahead of winter sowing. While authorities have implemented restrictions on agricultural burning, enforcement remains inconsistent, particularly during festival periods when monitoring operations may be reduced.

Environmental scientists have attributed the deteriorating air quality to a combination of factors, including farm fires from Punjab and Haryana, vehicular emissions, and unfavorable weather patterns that trap pollutants over Delhi. The situation has raised concerns among public health officials amid increased respiratory illnesses reported across the region.