Farm fires in Pakistan three times higher than in Punjab
Satellite data shows 3,328 fire incidents in Pakistan compared to 1,031 in Indian Punjab over the last week.
Satellite analysis has revealed that farm fire incidents in the bordering areas of Pakistan were nearly three times higher than those in Indian Punjab over the past week, according to The Tribune. The data shows 3,328 incidents in Pakistan compared to 1,031 incidents in Punjab during the same seven-day period.
Dr Ravindra Khaiwal, Professor of Environmental Health at PGIMER, Chandigarh, said the rise in Pakistani farm fires is contributing to pollution in northern Indian cities. He noted that besides local factors like garbage burning and construction dust, the spurt in fires has led to increased pollution in Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala, and other districts in Punjab and Haryana.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Lahore has been recorded above 200, while Amritsar recorded a lower reading of approximately 153. Dr Karamjit Singh Dhaliwal, Assistant Professor at Punjabi University, Patiala, said the smoke from stubble burning will hurt residents of Pakistan before travelling to India.
Dr Dhaliwal explained that during November, light westerly and northerly winds cause pollutants to get trapped near the surface, contributing to smog across the Indo-Gangetic plain. Sukhbir Singh Dhaliwal stated that recent rainfall from a western disturbance has delayed harvesting, which may increase pressure on farmers to dispose of paddy residue.
With the wheat sowing season starting on November 1, experts expect farm fires to rise further and likely peak around Diwali.