Punjab farm fire count reaches 1,612 as incidents spike
A total of 98 stubble-burning incidents were reported in the state on Monday, according to The Tribune.
The number of farm fire incidents in Punjab reached 1,612 on Monday, following a spurt in stubble-burning cases across the state. According to The Tribune, 98 incidents were reported on Monday, after 175 incidents were recorded the previous day.
On October 31, the state witnessed a peak of 292 farm fire incidents. As of November 1, Punjab recorded the highest number of cases at 1,514, while Rajasthan recorded 671, Madhya Pradesh 566, Uttar Pradesh 345, Uttarakhand 176, Haryana 42, and Delhi 2.
Tarn Taran leads the district-wise tally with 489 farm fires. Other districts include Ferozepur with 193, Amritsar with 192, Gurdaspur with 100, and Kapurthala with 99.
Air quality in Punjab cities has also begun to deteriorate. The Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 231 in Patiala, 214 in Ludhiana, 157 in Jalandhar, 153 in Mandi Gobindgarh, and 123 in Amritsar.
Commission member secretary Tarun Pithode held a review meeting on Sunday with Deputy Commissioners, District Magistrates, and Senior Superintendents of Police from Faridkot, Ferozepur, Barnala, Bathinda, Patiala, Malerkotla, and Sangrur. The meeting assessed district administrations' preparedness to manage paddy residue.
Officials were directed to intensify surveillance, particularly during evening hours, and ensure prompt enforcement when violations are detected.