Overview
- Official CAQM data through November 3 show sharp declines in stubble-burning incidents versus 2024, with Punjab at 2,518 and Haryana at 145.
- Despite the seasonal drop, a late-October to early-November surge concentrated in districts such as Sangrur and Tarn Taran drove most of this season’s incidents, including a 442-case peak on November 1.
- Punjab logged 351 new fires on Thursday, taking the season’s total to 3,284 since September 15, with enforcement this season including Rs 71.80 lakh in fines and 1,092 FIRs.
- Rains on Tuesday–Wednesday cut detections to just 97 fires on Wednesday, and NASA VIIRS showed 1,291 Punjab fires from November 1–5 versus 9,730 last year, as Delhi’s AQI improved to 202.
- Suhora satellite analysis and a former PPCB official indicated burned area in three key districts was about 20% lower year on year in October, with a comprehensive central assessment expected later this month.