NASA Images Show Farm Fires Increasing Rapidly In North India, Would Worsen Air Pollution In Delhi

According to data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) instances of stubble burning have been showing up and increasing in intensity in parts of Pakistan and India including Punjab and Haryana.

Stubble burning is the practice of intentionally setting fire to the straw stubble that remains after grains, such as rice and wheat, have been harvested. Stubble burning in northern India has long been a major and serious cause of air pollution. However, efforts to dissuade farmers from doing it fail every year, and this year is no different.

PTI

In fact, according to scientists and environmentalists, farm fires in north India are likely to be more serious as compared to previous years due to the delayed monsoon withdrawal from the region. This will directly impact Delhi's already bad air pollution problem.

To make matters worse, people who have suffered from COVID-19 and are recovering from the complications caused by the disease might face some trouble since stubble burning has an adverse effect on one's respiratory system due to its drastic contribution to air pollution.

These images released by NASA show how rapidly and intensely farm fires are increasing every day. Have a look.

NASA

¡°Consistent cloud and rain over India is both delaying agricultural waste burning and limiting the detection of these fires by satellite. Although the fire season this year is delayed compared to the last few years because of the delayed monsoon withdrawal, stubble burning is increasing and soon, regional air quality will get a hit as soon as rain goes away,¡± said Pawan Gupta, a research scientist at the Goddard Earth Sciences Technology and Research (GESTAR), Universities Space Research Association (USRA).

Scientists at NASA also said that going by the pattern, Punjab and Haryana could record up to 16,500 stubble fires between the months of October and November.

NASA

According to senior officials of Delhi's environment department, fires spotted on NASA satellite is currently affecting Delhi's air quality but once the wind direction changes, the air quality will fall drastically.

¡°We have been monitoring the NASA satellite data and we have observed that the number of fire dots over Pakistan, Punjab and Haryana are increasing. We are anticipating a large number of fires this season, and this could severely impact Delhi¡¯s air quality,¡± a senior environment department official told Hindustan Times.

If you stay in the capital, it is best to remain indoors as much as possible, and since everyone is already mandated to wear a mask, ensure that the protocol is followed religiously since the air quality is bound to get worse in the coming month.