A wave of catastrophic fire incidents has swept across Narowal, Kasur, and Gujranwala, scorching 85 acres of ripe wheat fields, and causing multi-million rupee losses to farmers at a critical harvesting time.
The agricultural heartland of Punjab has faced a severe blow, with communities left reeling and demanding accountability from authorities for negligence, outdated infrastructure, and ineffective risk management.
Narowal Suffers the Worst as Fires Destroy Crops on 56 Acres
The Narowal district, particularly Shakargarh tehsil, experienced nine separate fire outbreaks in just two days. Fields in Dinpur Riba turning point, Sahara, Class Goraiya, Quayampur, Nowadey, Dlhozey, Mank, and Sagarpur were among the worst-hit.
According to Rescue 1122, these incidents collectively damaged 56 acres of wheat, incurring a loss estimated at Rs7.56 million. Local reports indicate that short circuits and smoking-related negligence were the primary culprits.
Kasur
In village Badho Jevan, located within the Chunian police jurisdiction, a blaze triggered by high-tension 11kV electric wires wiped out six acres of golden wheat.
Muhammad Ishtiaq, the affected farmer, saw his entire year’s yield go up in flames, despite valiant efforts by fellow villagers to extinguish the fire.
Initial reports identified faulty wiring on a chopper machine as the fire’s origin, a testament to the urgent need for mechanical safety inspections and farmer education on proper maintenance practices.
Gujranwala
In Zafarabad and Garmola Warakan, the suburbs of Gujranwala, wheat and fodder fields across 23 acres were lost.
- Dost Muhammad: 7 acres
- Shafqat Ali: 6 acres
- Ilyas Chadhar: 7 acres
- Yousaf Tarkhan: 1.25 acres
Chopper machines and other equipment used for harvesting often operate without adequate inspections. Wiring faults, combined with high operating temperatures and friction from dry crop debris.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Nabeel in Garmola Warakan saw 2 acres of wheat and 6 acres of fodder engulfed by flames.
Local officials have reiterated the importance of fire safety measures during harvesting season but failed to offer concrete plans for infrastructure upgrades or compensation timelines.
These power lines, often poorly maintained, pose a chronic fire risk, especially during harvest season when the fields are dry and machinery is active.
Despite repeated complaints and warnings from farmers, there remains a lack of preventive action from energy providers and local administrative departments.
