New Delhi: The declining trend in stubble burning incidents has been interrupted this season, with Punjab recording 5,002 farm fires from Sept 15 to Nov 10, compared with 4,195 during the corresponding period last year. Official data shows more than 91% of the crop has been harvested in Punjab. where 77% of the crop has been harvested, has witnessed 206 paddy residue burning events this time compared to 363 last year, UP’s count this season is 689 compared to 1,902 last time, as per satellite data compiled by Indian Agricultural Research Institute While Haryana .
Between Sept 15 and Nov 9, stubble burning accounted for 5% or more of Delhi’s PM2.5 levels on only 13 days. Of these, the contribution crossed 10% on just three days. In previous years, stubble burning’s share in Delhi’s PM2.5 levels had touched 30% on certain days. This season, however, the peak contribution was 16.3%, recorded on Nov 4, according to the data of Decision Support System, which estimates the contribution of stubble burning to Delhi’s PM2.5. To estimate the share of stubble burning to Delhi’s PM2.5, DSS relies on the official stubble burning incidents, which is not accurate. In 2025, the share of farm fires in Delhi’s air quality surpassed 10% on eight days, including over 20% on only one day. In 2024, the contribution of stubble burning was above 20% on 14 days, according to DSS data. However, the peak single-day source of stubble burning in Delhi’s PM2.5 was 35.2% in 2024, 35.4% in 2023, 34% in 2022, 48% in 2021, 42% in 2020, 44% in 2019 and 58% in 2018.
However, according to experts, the daily contribution may be higher. Gufran Beig, founder of System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) and chair professor at National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), said, “It is known that satellites do not capture the stubble burning counts which happen after 4pm. However, the contribution of farm fires to Delhi’s air pollution has remained low this season. Hence, the contribution has been low this season. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Delhi | Silver Rate in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Petrol Price in Delhi | Diesel Price in Delhi | CNG Price in Delhi | LPG Price in Delhi