Punjab and Haryana recorded an increase of at least 2,400 farm fires till October 27, according to government data.
Farm fires are a major contributor to air pollution in the national capital region.
This comes as Delhi continues to face deteriorating air quality.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality monitor, SAFAR, on October 28 predicted that the share of smoke from stubble burning in Delhi's PM 2.5 concentration is likely to jump to 25 percent on October 29 from 15 percent on October 28.
The number of farm fires increased despite the Centre issuing strict directions to the states of Haryana and Punjab last week, to stop stubble burning.
Most cases of paddy residue burning were reported in the last four days, according to data from the pollution control boards of Punjab and Haryana.
Punjab reported an increase of around 25 percent in farm fires.
According to data from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), the state recorded 9,600 incidents of stubble burning till October 27, 2018. This year, the figure has shot up to 12,027.
Tarn Taran alone has reported 1,863 incidents of farm fires. Ferozpur and Patiala have recorded 1,248 and 1,236 cases, respectively.
A significant rise in stubble burning was recorded on October 26 and 27. While 2,805 cases were reported on October 26, the number on October 27 touched the 2,231 mark.
Haryana witnessed 3,735 farm fires as compared to 3,705 in 2018.
Karnal, Kaithal and Kurukshetra have reported 824, 818 and 645 incidents of stubble burning, respectively, till October 27.
The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) on October 28 said: "Haryana and Punjab stubble fire counts are increasing, and the transport level wind direction is favourable for plume transport (north-westerly). The biomass-related contribution may touch this year's peak value (~25 percent) on October 29."
The period between October 15 and November 15 is considered critical as maximum number of stubble burning incidents takes place in this span in Punjab and adjoining states and is one of the main reasons for the alarming spike in pollution in Delhi-NCR.
Despite a ban on stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, farmers continue to defy it because of lack of financial incentives.
State governments are providing 50 to 80 percent subsidy to farmers and cooperative societies to buy modern farm equipment for in-situ management of paddy straw, and running a massive awareness campaign against stubble burning.
A Punjab government official had told PTI that the high court's September 19 order, staying the recovery of fine from farmers found violating the ban on stubble burning, has subdued the effect of challans.
However, Karunesh Garg, member-secretary of the Punjab Pollution Control Board, said the court had only stalled the recovery of fine imposed in previous years and that the government is issuing challans this year.
Secretary (Agriculture) KS Pannu said the number of farm fires seems large because of early harvesting of paddy crop.
"This year, the harvesting began around a week earlier as compared to the last year. That's the reason the number of farm fires looks big. I am sure the cumulative figure at the end of the harvesting period will be much smaller," he said.
Centre and the state government have made serious interventions, provided farm equipment and undertaken massive awareness drives to prevent stubble burning.
If not this year, the problem will be completely resolved in the next two years, Pannu said.
Haryana Pollution Control Board Member Secretary S Narayanan said around 200 challans have been issued against farmers for violating the ban on stubble burning, but the recovery of fine has been put on hold following the high court order.
(With inputs from PTI)Get access to India's fastest growing financial subscriptions service Moneycontrol Pro for as little as Rs 599 for first year. Use the code "GETPRO". Moneycontrol Pro offers you all the information you need for wealth creation including actionable investment ideas, independent research and insights & analysis For more information, check out the Moneycontrol website or mobile app.
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