Record high farm fires in Northern India fuel toxic smog, choking millions

New Delhi, November 19, 2024— The illegal burning of farm fields in northern India has reached an alarming record this season, severely worsening the toxic smog that has been suffocating millions of people, including those in the nation’s capital, New Delhi. According to the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, the state of Punjab—often referred to as India’s “wheat bowl”—reported 1,251 farm fires on Monday alone, a staggering increase compared to previous years.

Farmers in Punjab and neighbouring Haryana, two key agricultural states, burn large quantities of crop residue after harvesting rice to prepare fields for the upcoming wheat season. Despite a ban on the practice, enforcement remains weak, and many farmers continue to rely on this cheap and quick method, which contributes significantly to the toxic air pollution that blankets the region each winter.

Since September, Punjab has seen a total of 9,655 farm fires. The peak came on Monday, when over 1,200 fires were recorded in a single day—a sharp rise from the previous highest daily tally of 730, reported just days earlier on November 8. This surge in farm fires coincided with a dramatic spike in hazardous pollutants, with levels of PM2.5—tiny particles that can cause severe health problems, including cancer—reaching more than 60 times the World Health Organisation’s recommended daily maximum in New Delhi.

The smoke from these farm fires, along with emissions from vehicles, construction, and power plants, contributes to a dangerous smog that settles over northern India every winter. The combination of cooler air and a lack of wind traps the pollutants close to the ground, making it nearly impossible for the air quality to improve.

On Tuesday, New Delhi authorities extended the order for all schools to shift to online classes in an attempt to limit the exposure of children to the hazardous air. Additional measures, such as restricting diesel-powered trucks and halting construction activities, were also put in place. However, despite these efforts, the air quality remained dangerously high, with PM2.5 levels at 309 micrograms per cubic meter—still 20 times above the WHO’s safe daily limit.

The government’s efforts to tackle the issue have been largely ineffective. While various initiatives have been introduced, the scale of the problem continues to worsen, with the smog contributing to thousands of premature deaths each year. The health impacts are particularly severe for children and the elderly, who are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution.

Farmers, who are a significant political force in India, remain defiant about their role in the crisis. They argue that without significant government subsidies for alternative methods of clearing fields, they cannot afford to abandon the practice of burning crop residue.