Farm Fires in Punjab Severely Undercounted, Contributing to Toxic Smog

Farmers reportedly adjust stubble burning times to evade NASA satellite detection, prompting India to adopt new monitoring methods.

Satellite data reveals significant undercounting of farm fires in Punjab due to farmers timing burns outside NASA satellite overpass windows.
Stubble burning remains a major contributor to hazardous air quality in Delhi and the Indo-Gangetic plain, with AQI levels reaching 'severe' this month.
India plans to shift from monitoring live fires to analyzing burnt areas, with a new protocol developed by the national space agency currently under testing.
Experts highlight the role of thermal inversion and aerosols in trapping pollutants, exacerbating smog and reducing visibility in the region.
Despite government subsidies for alternative methods, many farmers continue crop burning due to high equipment costs and limited availability.