India Stubble Burning Time Shift

United States — NASA has reported a significant shift in the daily timing of seasonal crop fires in northern India. Farmers are increasingly lighting stubble fires later in the day, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., a departure from the traditional early afternoon burns. This change, identified by scientists like Hiren Jethva using data from satellites such as Chollian-2A, complicates efforts to monitor stubble burning and accurately assess its impact on air quality. In 2025, air quality in Delhi and other cities in India deteriorated for about a month after fires intensified, with pollution levels exceeding 400 on India's air quality index on multiple days. Authorities in India responded by closing schools and imposing construction restrictions. Scientists warn that later burns, coinciding with weaker winds and shallower boundary layers, could worsen overnight pollution accumulation. While the link between stubble burning and air pollution is acknowledged, the precise contribution relative to other sources like vehicles and industry is still debated, with estimates from Pawan Gupta suggesting crop fires account for 40-70% on peak days.