India, Nov. 3 -- Punjab has witnessed a sharp spike in stubble-burning incidents, with the state reporting over 500 cases in the past 72 hours.

According to the latest report of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Punjab has recorded 1,612 farm fire incidents as of November 2, with 77.38% of the total paddy area harvested. Tarn Taran topped the list with 489 incidents, followed by Ferozepur (193) and Amritsar (192). The farm fire count stood at 1,047 on October 30.

Officials, who didn't wish to be named, feared a jump in cases as the November 15 deadline for the ideal wheat-sowing window was drawing closer, and farmers might be inclined to burn stubble to clear their fields and prepare the land for the next crop.

Although...