Ludhiana (Gurpreet Singh): With paddy harvesting underway, Punjab is once again witnessing the early signs of stubble burning, as authorities confirm 75 cases reported so far this season. Despite repeated warnings and stricter enforcement following Supreme Court directives, the age-old practice continues to pose a serious concern for both air quality and law enforcement.
Adding to the environmental challenge is the recent shift in weather patterns across the state. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), night temperatures have risen, while no rainfall is expected in the coming days, creating dry conditions that can further exacerbate the fire risk.
Ludhiana Sees Spike in Temperatures; Nights Getting Warmer
Punjab’s weather outlook is shifting this week, with Ludhiana’s Samrala region recording the highest temperature at 36.6°C. Although daytime heat is largely within expected limits, nighttime temperatures have surged by 2.1°C above normal, the IMD reported.
“The coming days are likely to remain dry, with no rain in sight,” an IMD official said. “While this means lower humidity, it also creates the ideal environment for fires to spread.”
Burning Incidents Clustered in Amritsar, Patiala, and Tarn Taran
A state-level breakdown of recent reports shows that Amritsar district alone accounts for 43 of the 75 stubble burning cases, making it the most affected region at the moment. Patiala and Tarn Taran follow with 9 incidents each, as per official records.
The figures, however, have sparked a new concern — the reliability of satellite-based reporting. Out of the 75 recorded incidents, nearly 30 were identified as false positives, according to verification by local officials. These cases were initially flagged by the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC) but later found to have no ground-level burning.
