Air quality dwindles, nearly 3,000 farm fire cases recorded in Punjab
AS THE PADDY HARVEST IS ON THE LAST LEG, THE NUMBER OF CASES MIGHT INCREASE TILL NOV 10, AS PER PREVIOUS TRENDS
PATIALA : The state’s Air Quality Index (AQI), particularly in the rural areas has deteriorated due to a spike in farm fire cases reported on Wednesday. Over 2,989 cases of stubble burning have reported in the state with the highest 455 cases reported from Sangrur in a day.
The total number of cases has touched 21,636, which is almost 25% more than last year for the corresponding period.
In 2019, 15,181 cases were reported till October 28, while the number was 12,777 for the year 2018.
As the paddy harvest is on the last leg, the number of cases might increase till November 10, the previous trends show.
From the last three days, more than 2,000 cases were reported in Punjab. On Monday, a total of 2,047 cases were reported, while the number was 2,139 on Tuesday and it reached 2,989 on Wednesday.
After Sangrur where 455 cases were reported, 346 cases were reported in Patiala, 321 in Ferozepur, and 205 in Bathinda, all districts of Malwa. In Majha, Tarn Taran continued to be a hotspot of farm fires with 210 cases reported on Wednesday. No case from reported from the Pathankot district.
“Due to intensive farm fires, the air quality was recorded in the poor category. Now, this week the AQI of major cities will cross 200, while in rural areas, where there is no recording of AQI, the smog was visible in the night and morning hours,” said an official of Punjab Pollution Control Board.