World · India Bureau
Punjab, Haryana farm fires may be far higher than official counts show
New empirical estimates suggest nearly 34,000 farm fires were burning across Punjab and Haryana by early November, potentially far exceeding official tallies. Smoke-laden winds are expected to shift toward Delhi this week, intensifying air quality concerns across north India.
LSN India ·
Fresh estimates of agricultural burning in Punjab and Haryana indicate the scale of farm fires may be substantially larger than officially reported figures, raising questions about air quality management in the region during the stubble-burning season.
According to empirical data, approximately 34,000 farm fires were active by November 9, suggesting a significant gap between actual burning and recorded incidents. The disparity highlights challenges in tracking and monitoring agricultural practices across the vast farming regions of both states.
Meteorological forecasts indicate that wind patterns conducive to carrying smoke toward Delhi are expected to resume on Wednesday and Thursday, potentially worsening air quality in the national capital and surrounding areas. Such weather patterns typically lead to hazardous pollution levels in north India during the post-harvest season.
The findings underscore the ongoing challenge of managing crop residue burning, a widespread practice among farmers seeking to clear fields ahead of the winter planting season. Despite various government initiatives promoting mechanized stubble management and alternative disposal methods, open burning remains prevalent across agricultural zones.