Overview
- Punjab logged 178 new stubble-burning cases on Sunday, a day after a season-high 442, taking the tally to 2,262 since September 15.
- Air quality deteriorated across several cities, with Mandi Gobindgarh at AQI 319, Khanna 310 and Patiala 291 as a layer of smog persisted.
- Eight hotspot districts accounted for 64% of incidents so far, led by Tarn Taran (444) and Sangrur (406), with Ferozepur (236) and Bathinda (144) also elevated.
- Authorities stepped up punitive action in hotspot districts, including 114 FIRs in Tarn Taran, 56 in Sangrur and 54 in Ferozepur, alongside environmental compensation and red entries.
- Officials say the next 10–12 days are critical ahead of the November 15 wheat-sowing window, even as cumulative incidents remain roughly 41% lower than this date last year.