Delhi's pollution battle could face another challenge: Punjab records more stubble fires than last year as paddy harvesting gathers pace

Punjab has recorded more stubble-burning incidents this year than during the corresponding period in 2025, with satellite monitoring detecting 174 farm fire events between September 15 and October 13, compared with 134 a year earlier. The latest figures indicate a rise in crop-residue burning as paddy harvesting gathers pace across the state. A total of 51 farm fire events were detected on October 13 alone, marking the highest daily count in Punjab during the 2026 monitoring period covered by the latest bulletin from ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute’s CREAMS Lab. The increase has renewed concerns over seasonal air pollution, particularly as Delhi and neighbouring areas prepare for the winter months, when weather conditions can trap pollutants close to the ground.

Punjab stubble-burning cases rise nearly 30% year-on-year

The cumulative count of 174 farm fire events recorded between September 15 and October 13 represents an increase of nearly 30% over the 134 incidents detected during the same period last year. The sharpest recent rise came on October 13, when 51 incidents were recorded in a single day. This suggests that stubble burning is gaining pace as harvesting progresses, although the overall number of incidents can fluctuate depending on harvesting schedules, weather conditions and farmers’ crop-residue management practices.

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The figures are based on satellite-detected fire events and should not be interpreted as a direct count of individual farmers or fields.

Amritsar, Tarn Taran account for a large share of Punjab farm fires

District-level data show that stubble-burning incidents remain concentrated in some of Punjab’s major paddy-growing areas. Amritsar recorded 77 cumulative farm fire events between September 15 and October 13, compared with 65 during the corresponding period last year. Tarn Taran reported 61 incidents, up from 27 a year earlier. The two districts also accounted for a substantial proportion of the statewide total on October 13. Amritsar recorded 16 farm fire events, while Tarn Taran reported 21.

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Together, the districts accounted for 37 of the 51 incidents detected across Punjab that day, underlining their significance in the state’s stubble-management efforts.

Paddy harvesting progresses faster than last year

The increase in farm fires comes as harvesting moves ahead at a faster pace than in the previous season. According to the latest state figures from ICAR for October 12, around 5 lakh hectares of paddy had been harvested in Punjab. This represented approximately 16% of the state’s total paddy area of 31.76 lakh hectares, compared with 12% at the same point last year.

Harvesting progress also varies considerably across districts. Amritsar had harvested 65% of its sown paddy area by October 12, making it the fastest-progressing district among those cited in the figures. Tarn Taran had harvested 34% of its area, while Pathankot and Kapurthala had each recorded 22%.

The pace of harvesting is important because farmers have a limited period to clear paddy residue before preparing fields for the next crop. Where suitable machinery, labour or other residue-management options are unavailable or difficult to access, some farmers resort to burning the leftover straw.

Will rising Punjab stubble fires worsen Delhi air pollution?

The increase in Punjab’s farm fires comes ahead of the period when Delhi typically experiences deteriorating air quality. However, a rise in incidents in Punjab does not automatically translate into a corresponding increase in Delhi’s pollution levels.

The impact depends on several factors, including the number and intensity of fires, wind direction and speed, atmospheric conditions, and emissions from sources within Delhi and neighbouring regions.

An analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) found that stubble burning contributed an average of 7% to Delhi’s air pollution in November 2025, compared with 20% in November 2024.

In November 2025, the contribution of farm fires to Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution exceeded 10% on only eight days and crossed 20% on just one day, according to the analysis.

Despite the lower contribution from stubble burning, Delhi’s PM2.5 levels nearly doubled between October and November 2025. Other sources, including vehicles, industries and dust, also contributed to the deterioration in air quality.

PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the lungs. Its concentration is influenced by emissions as well as weather conditions that determine how pollutants disperse or accumulate.

CAQM steps up monitoring to curb stubble burning in 2026

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has set a target of eliminating paddy stubble burning in 2026. As part of its efforts, it deployed flying squads across 18 districts of Punjab and 16 districts of Haryana from October 1 to November 30.

The measures also include reviewing the use of drone surveillance, promoting crop-residue management machinery and strengthening field-level monitoring and enforcement.

The effectiveness of these measures will be closely watched as harvesting advances and farm fire incidents rise. Punjab’s ability to provide farmers with practical alternatives to burning will remain an important part of efforts to reduce crop-residue fires.

With the winter pollution season approaching, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the increase in farm fires continues and how much it contributes to air quality across northern India.


Inputs from TOI