Patiala, Oct. 15 -- With 31 new cases, Punjab on Tuesday witnessed the highest single-day spike of the season in farm fire incidents, taking the total count to 165.

According to data from the Punjab remote sensing centre (PRSC), Tarn Taran alone accounted for 20 of 31 cases, making it the second-worst-affected district with 47 total incidents of the season. Amritsar continues to top the list with 68 reported cases to date.

Conventionally, the Punjab pollution control board (PPCB) begins monitoring stubble burning from September 15, coinciding with the start of early paddy harvesting, and continues until November 30 each year. In 2024, Punjab had recorded 10,909 incidents of farm fire, with Sangrur topping the charts at 1,725.

Punjab ha...