Delhi sees sharp drop in minimum temperature
New Delhi (PTI): The national capital saw a sharp drop in the minimum temperature on Saturday, even as the city woke up to a sunny morning.
This comes a day after the city saw moderate rainfall in several parts.
The Safdarjung observatory, which provides representative data for the city, recorded a minimum temperature of 19.8 degrees Celsius, 1.8 degrees below the normal and 4.2 degrees lower than the day before.
Other weather stations showed equally dramatic drops in the minimum. Palam recorded a minimum temperature of 20.1 degrees Celsius, 4.9 degrees lower than Friday's temperature. Ridge logged a minimum of 20.8 degrees, 3.9 degrees lower than the day before.
According to the data by the India Meteorological Department, while several parts of the city recorded rainfall till late hours of Friday, no rain was recorded in the early hours of Saturday.
Safdarjung recorded 12.4 mm of rain till 11.30 pm on Friday but no rain after that, while Palam recorded 18.6 mm of rain till 11.30 pm but there was no rainfall after that.
Meanwhile, forecasts by the IMD show that no rain is likely throughout the weekend.
The maximum temperature, according to the IMD is likely to be around 39-41 degrees Celsius.
The air quality index (AQI) of the city improved drastically to the moderate category and was logged at 177 (moderate) at 9 am on Saturday, compared to the 24-hour average AQI of 263 (poor) recorded at 4 pm on Friday, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board.
As per CPCB standards, an AQI of 0-50 is considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'.
The Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) for Delhi has, however, forecast the AQI to deteriorate to the poor category again by Saturday and remain so in the next few days.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Udhayanidhi accuses BJP of not releasing funds for TN
Gobichettipalayam (PTI): Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday charged the BJP government at the Centre with not releasing funds to the state and accused it of "snatching" TN's rights.
Addressing a poll rally at Gobichettipalayam in the western Erode district, the DMK youth wing chief claimed the Centre has not released funds to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore for education.
"They (union government) have snatched all our rights," he charged.
With regard to the Centre's proposal for delimitation, he said chief minister M K Stalin was the first person in the country to raise the voice against the union government's move. He claimed that it was a "huge victory" for the INDIA alliance, as the bill was defeated for lack of majority after the opposition voted against it in the Lok Sabha.
Listing out various welfare measures implemented by the DMK government, he said the existing "Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai" (monthly financial assistance for women) will be doubled to Rs 2,000 if DMK was voted to power again.
The deputy chief minister charged that the BJP and AIADMK have tried to stall it by moving the court. "At present more than 1.3 crore women have benefited from the scheme", he said.
"Similarly, the breakfast scheme for the government school students will be extended till Class VIII", he said adding "more than 35 lakh college students across the state will be getting free laptops once the DMK government is formed".
Udhayanidhi also pointed out at the "Illatharasi" poll promise, providing Rs 8,000 worth of coupons to non-income tax paying women where they could buy or replace any household appliances of their choice.
Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23 and the results declared on May 4 following counting of polled votes.
