Punjab's First Wheat Stubble Fire Emerges as Madhya Pradesh Incidents Skyrocket
In a concerning development for air quality and agricultural practices, Punjab reported its inaugural crop residue burning case of the ongoing wheat harvesting season on Tuesday. This single incident starkly contrasts with the situation in Madhya Pradesh, which witnessed a dramatic surge in such fires, with its total count approaching 6,000 within just one week.
Satellite Data Reveals Alarming Spike in Farm Fires
According to satellite-based monitoring data from the Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modeling from Space (CREAMS), which tracks crop residue burning nationwide during both paddy and wheat harvesting seasons, the disparity is stark. On April 7, Punjab recorded merely one burning case. In sharp contrast, Madhya Pradesh alone reported 1,687 cases in a single day, pushing its cumulative total to 5,798.
Uttar Pradesh also contributed significantly, with 185 cases reported on Tuesday, elevating its tally to 323. Overall, crop residue burning incidents during the first week of wheat harvesting soared to 6,127 across five states by Tuesday, marking a substantial increase from 4,255 cases recorded until April 6.
State-Wise Breakdown and District-Level Hotspots
The affected states include Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi. Haryana reported four cases, while Delhi recorded one. These incidents were spread across 83 districts, with Hoshangabad district in Madhya Pradesh emerging as a major hotspot, accounting for 1,591 cases until April 7. Alarmingly, at least 12 districts in Madhya Pradesh have already each reported over 100 cases.
Harvesting Delays and Historical Context
In Punjab, wheat harvesting has been delayed in several regions due to recent adverse weather conditions, including rain, hailstorms, and thunderstorms, which have also impacted standing crops. This delay may influence future stubble burning trends in the state.
Historically, stubble burning during paddy harvest often draws attention for its severe impact on winter air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR). However, data reveals a shift: Punjab has recorded significantly fewer cases over the past two years and has now slipped below Madhya Pradesh in overall farm fire counts. During the 2025 paddy harvesting season, Madhya Pradesh led with 17,067 cases, followed by Uttar Pradesh at 7,290 and Punjab at 5,114 until November 30.
The sharp rise in Madhya Pradesh underscores ongoing challenges in managing crop residue, despite efforts to curb the practice. As wheat harvesting progresses, monitoring these incidents will be crucial for assessing environmental and public health impacts.
