Chandigarh: With the onset of paddy harvesting in Punjab, fresh incidents of stubble burning have started to resurface despite the legal pressure and environmental warnings. As of Wednesday, the total number of reported cases this season has reached 75, with Amritsar district once again leading in violations.
Even as farm fires begin to rise, weather conditions are shifting in Punjab. Night temperatures have been climbing, while the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has ruled out any chances of rainfall in the near future.
Weather: Warmer Nights, Dry Days
According to data from the Meteorological Centre, Punjab is experiencing an unusual trend. Although day temperatures remain largely stable, night-time temperatures have risen by over 2 degrees Celsius compared to the seasonal average.
The highest temperature in the state was logged at Samrala in Ludhiana, touching 36.6°C, making it the warmest location in Punjab this week.
The IMD has forecast dry conditions across the state, bringing no immediate respite from the gradually intensifying heat. However, the humidity levels are expected to ease slightly, offering relief from the oppressive muggy conditions of previous weeks.
Stubble Burning: Amritsar Tops the List
After a brief lull, stubble burning cases have surged again, especially in northern Punjab. On Wednesday alone, five fresh incidents were reported, adding to the 70 cases already recorded earlier this week.
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Amritsar district has emerged as the biggest hotspot, accounting for 43 cases.
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Patiala and Tarn Taran districts followed, with nine incidents each.
Interestingly, a new twist emerged in the data provided by the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC). Nearly 30 of the 75 cases—amounting to 40%—turned out to be false positives. These were satellite-detected fire alerts that, upon verification, showed no actual stubble burning on the ground.
Legal Pressure & Monitoring Intensify
These developments come in the backdrop of recent directives by the Supreme Court, which has urged state authorities to take stricter action against crop residue burning. With the winter season approaching, such incidents are under tighter scrutiny due to their contribution to air pollution in northern India, particularly the Delhi-NCR region.
State agencies are relying heavily on remote sensing technology to track and document stubble fires, but officials are now facing questions over the accuracy of satellite data following the false reporting of several incidents.
