Unmasking Punjab’s Farm Fire Crisis: Satellite Images Reveal Severe Undercounting

Air Quality Crisis and Punjab Farm Fires

Delhi and surrounding areas are experiencing severe air quality issues, classified as ‘very poor.’ Current anti-pollution measures will last for three more days, with no immediate relief in sight. Multiple factors contribute to this crisis, including construction, vehicle emissions, and stubble burning by farmers in Punjab and Haryana.

The Central Air Quality Management (CAQM) has noted a reduction in stubble burning cases in Punjab. However, scientist Hiren Jethva from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre disagrees. He suggests that farmers are timing their burning activities to avoid detection by NASA satellites, resulting in a significant undercount of farm fires.

Satellite Observations of Farm Fires in Punjab

On November 18, NDTV reviewed satellite images from the area west of Amritsar at 2:18 PM. These images reveal numerous farm fires, resulting from stubble burning, which contributes to the region’s air pollution. Experts identified at least 26 separate farm fires shortly after NASA satellites passed overhead.

These fires release a great deal of smoke, which lowers visibility and exacerbates air quality issues. Flight operations at Amritsar Airport were affected due to this smog. Jethva explained that farmers have learned to burn stubble after the afternoon satellite overpass, leading to unreported fires. Geostationary satellites, which monitor the area every five minutes, confirm that burning occurs despite the absence of NASA surveillance.

NASA Fire Data Assessment

NDTV highlighted discrepancies in NASA’s fire data. The satellite images show fires not recorded by NASA’s sensors, indicating a severe underreporting of farm fires in Punjab. Jethva asserts that even if farmers avoid detection, pollution data still indicates significant levels of smoke.

Role of Thermal Inversion

Thermal inversion is another factor contributing to the smog. This phenomenon traps pollutants near the ground, where warmer air sits above cooler air. Jethva notes that the pollutants emitted cannot disperse vertically, leading to higher concentrations in the air. The presence of smoke from farm burning worsens this issue, creating a cycle that intensifies air quality problems.

In summary, the evidence shows that stubble burning in Punjab is a significant contributor to Delhi’s air quality crisis. The timing of these burns may be strategically planned to avoid detection, leading to underestimated pollution levels. Immediate actions addressing both the burning practices and the surrounding conditions are crucial for improving air quality in the region.