Fri Nov 22 13:06:02 UTC 2024: ## Delhi Chokes on Smog as Satellite Images Expose Undercounted Farm Fires in Punjab

**New Delhi, India** – Delhi and surrounding areas remain shrouded in thick smog, with air quality categorized as “very poor” for a third consecutive day. Authorities have extended anti-pollution measures for another three days, offering little hope for immediate improvement.

While construction, vehicular traffic, and stubble burning are all contributing factors to the severe air pollution, new evidence suggests a significant undercounting of farm fires in Punjab. Exclusive satellite images obtained by NDTV reveal numerous fires in the region, particularly after the overpass time of NASA’s fire-detecting satellites.

These images, taken at 2:18 PM on November 18th, show at least 26 independent farm fires west of Amritsar alone. This directly contradicts data from NASA’s sensors, which seemingly missed these events. NASA’s satellites typically pass over the region between 1:30 PM and 2:00 PM, leading to speculation that farmers are deliberately timing their burning activities to avoid detection. This theory is supported by data from South Korean geostationary satellites, which captured numerous fires after 2 PM.

Dr. Hiren Jethva of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Centre confirmed this suspicion, stating that farmers are strategically timing the burning to coincide with the gaps in NASA’s surveillance. The discrepancy between NASA’s data and independent satellite images raises serious concerns about the accuracy of official figures on stubble burning and its contribution to Delhi’s toxic air.

The resulting smog has severely impacted visibility, leading to disruptions at Amritsar airport on November 18th. Experts warn that the combination of smoke from farm fires and thermal inversion, which traps pollutants close to the ground, is exacerbating the crisis. This situation, Dr. Jethva explained, creates a “gas chamber” effect over the Indo-Gangetic plain, affecting millions.

While Punjab has reported a decrease in stubble burning, the satellite imagery strongly indicates that these figures are significantly understated, highlighting the urgent need for more effective monitoring and stricter enforcement of anti-pollution measures. The severe air pollution continues to pose a major public health threat, demanding immediate and comprehensive action.

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