75 farm fires against 666 last year, Jalandhar air quality worse this time

Even though the number of farm fires in Jalandhar this year is eight times lesser than last year, the pollution in the district has been consistently much worse. Now, the question arises whether the stubble incidents are the only key culprits behind the ever-worsening AQI in the district. On November 6 again, Jalandhar had very poor levels of AQI - a maximum of 315 (very poor) and average of 168 - with 8 farm fires being recorded. On November 4 too, Jalandhar had very poor levels of AQI - a maximum of 373 (very poor) and average of 203 (poor) - despite the fact that no farm fire was recorded that day.

Until November 5 last year, 666 cases had been recorded in Jalandhar last year, while until November 6 this year, a mere 75 farm fires had been recorded. Despite this, Jalandhar AQI has gone from bad to worse, especially with the peak air pollution beginning on Diwali.

November 2 was the most polluted day on both years with the maximum AQI touching 458 on November 2 in 2023 and the maximum of 500 this year.

However, both average and maximum AQI in Jalandhar this year has been consistently worse as compared to last year.

This year the maximum AQI reported in Jalandhar was on October 31 (Diwali) and November 2 - 500 maximum AQI on both days.

Last year in the corresponding period, the maximum AQI was 458 on November 2.

What is most baffling is that if stubble fires are the prime cause of the pollution, then last year should have been more polluted, which is not the case.

When questioned on the high level of pollution in the district despite lesser stubble fires this year, Environmental Engineer, Jalandhar, Sandeep Kumar said, "There was rain these days last year due to which the pollution levels were reduced. Also, much of the smog in the district is due to stubble fires from the neighbouring districts of Kapurthala, Amritsar and Tarn Taran."