Patiala, Oct. 30 -- With the November 15 wheat-sowing deadline approaching, Punjab on Wednesday recorded 283 farm fire incidents - the highest single-day count this season. Experts from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) warned that the numbers could surge further in the coming days as farmers rush to clear fields for timely wheat sowing to ensure optimal yields.

The state tracks the farm fires from September 15 to November 30. The total count of stubble burning cases has reached 1,216, with Sangrur reporting the highest 79 cases, followed by Tarn Taran (43), Ferozepur (32), Patiala (25), and Bathinda (19).

Overall, Sangrur has reported 170 cases, and now stands third after Tarn Taran (296) and Amritsar (173).

Nearly 215 of the 1,216...