Punjab Logs 1,152 Farm Fires on Diwali, Sharpest Single-Day Spike This Seasonਦੀਵਾਲੀ ’ਤੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਵਿੱਚ 1,152 ਪਰਾਲੀ ਅੱਗਾਂ, ਸੀਜ਼ਨ ਦਾ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਡਾ ਇੱਕ ਦਿਨ ਦਾ ਅੰਕੜਾ

Punjab recorded 1,152 farm fires on Diwali, Sunday 8 November, the sharpest single-day spike of the paddy season, taking the total since 15 September to 4,459. The surge came as farmers rushed to clear fields ahead of the 15 November deadline for optimal wheat sowing, and it pushed Delhi's air quality deeper into the severe zone on the festival night.

How fast did the count rise?

The previous single-day high this season was 584 fires on 3 November. Sunday's 1,152 is nearly double that. The count stood at 3,307 on Saturday, according to The Tribune, so a single day added more than a third to the season total. Before that, Punjab had logged 357 fires on 6 November and 440 in the 24 hours to 5 November.

Which districts are worst hit?

Tarn Taran remains the worst-affected district with 684 incidents, followed by Ferozepur. The fires are spread across the paddy belt, but the border district has led the count through the season.

Why did fires surge on Diwali?

Around 91 per cent of Punjab's paddy area has already been harvested, and with the wheat-sowing window closing on 15 November, farmers are clearing fields fast. Burning the leftover stubble is the quickest way to prepare the land, and enforcement has struggled to keep pace with the harvest rush.

What action has been taken?

Officials have inspected 2,998 fields and physically verified 1,317 sites as stubble burning. Environmental compensation of Rs 62.55 lakh has been imposed in stubble-burning cases, of which Rs 32.60 lakh, about 52 per cent, has been recovered. Police have now registered 884 FIRs under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and revenue officials have made 'red entries' in the land records of 1,017 farms. Prosecution proceedings have also begun against 18 nodal officers under Section 14 of the CAQM Act.

What does it mean for the air?

Delhi and the National Capital Region choked on Diwali night, with the air quality index nearing 400, according to NDTV. Farm fires in Punjab add to the smoke load drifting towards the capital, and the spike came on a night when firecrackers were already pushing pollution up.

What are the parties saying?

Delhi minister Kapil Mishra alleged a conspiracy behind the spike, telling ANI that fires jumped from about 125 locations on 7 November to around 1,200 on Diwali and demanding a probe, FIRs and a check of phone records. The AAP hit back, asking whether Haryana's smoke goes to Pakistan and Punjab's to Delhi, and accused the BJP of blaming Punjab's farmers for the capital's air. The claims are political allegations, not findings, and no probe outcome has been reported.

How many farm fires has Punjab recorded this season?

Punjab has recorded 4,459 incidents of stubble burning since 15 September, including 1,152 on Diwali day alone, according to monitoring data compiled under the Indian Space Research Organisation protocol.

Which district has the most farm fires?

Tarn Taran, with 684 incidents, followed by Ferozepur. Tarn Taran has led the district count through the season.

Why are farmers burning stubble?

To clear paddy fields quickly before wheat sowing, which is best done by 15 November. Burning is faster and cheaper than removing the residue with machines, and the harvest rush leaves little time for alternatives.

What action is taken against stubble burning?

Officials inspect fields, impose environmental compensation, register police cases and make red entries in land records. This season Rs 62.55 lakh in compensation has been imposed, with Rs 32.60 lakh recovered, 884 FIRs have been registered, and red entries have been made in the land records of 1,017 farms.