The relative success Haryana had achieved in controlling farm fires earlier this month took a hit today. As administrative offices remained closed and field staff were largely off-duty for festivities, the skies over Karnal turned gray with the thick smoke of burning paddy residue.
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The Spike: After reporting only 3 cases on Diwali (Oct 20), the sudden jump to 300+ incidents represents the single largest daily increase in the 2025 harvesting season.
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Strategic Burning: Agriculture experts and ISRO-linked studies have noted a tactical shift where fires are ignited in large clusters during holidays or late in the afternoon (after 3:00 PM) to bypass the peak monitoring windows of traditional polar-orbiting satellites.
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AQI Collapse: In Karnal’s Sector 12 and surrounding rural blocks, the Air Quality Index (AQI) surged to 461 by 8:00 PM. This “Severe” rating is nearly triple the levels recorded just 48 hours ago, creating hazardous conditions for residents.
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Delayed Harvest Factor: Due to flood-induced delays earlier in the season, the window for sowing the Rabi (wheat) crop has shrunk. This has created immense pressure on farmers to clear fields rapidly, leading many to resort to fire despite the threat of “Red Entries” in their land records.
Community Sentiment
“We know the rules, but the machines for management are in high demand and the window for wheat is closing. On a holiday like today, when the patrolling vans aren’t seen as often, many see it as the only chance to clear the land,” said a local farmer from the Assandh block under condition of anonymity.
