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Punjab Battles Alarming Spike in Stubble Burning, Air Quality Plummets
15 Oct
Summary
- 31 new farm fire cases in a single day, total count reaches 165
- Tarn Taran accounts for 20 of the 31 new cases, Amritsar leads with 68 cases
- Air quality in major cities deteriorates, now in 'moderate' category
As of October 15th, 2025, Punjab is grappling with an alarming surge in farm fire incidents, with 31 new cases reported in a single day. This has taken the total count for the season to 165, a significant increase compared to previous years.
The district of Tarn Taran has emerged as the second-worst affected, accounting for 20 of the 31 new cases. This has brought Tarn Taran's total incidents to 47 for the season, trailing only Amritsar, which continues to lead the state with 68 reported cases.
The spike in stubble burning has started to take a toll on the state's air quality, with major cities like Jalandhar, Ludhiana, and Patiala now falling in the 'moderate' air quality category. This is a significant deterioration from the 'satisfactory' range observed just last week, indicating that prolonged exposure to the air may cause breathing discomfort, particularly for those with lung and heart conditions.
Authorities have intensified field inspections and satellite-based surveillance to take prompt action against violators and curb the rising trend of stubble burning. However, the challenge remains, as farmers continue to resort to this practice due to a lack of alternatives and time constraints.
