Delhi records low of 8.1 degrees Celsius, air quality 'poor'
New Delhi (PTI): The national capital on Saturday recorded a minimum temperature of 8.1 degrees Celsius, 1.2 notches above the season's average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
A cold wave is expected to affect isolated places in the city between January 3 and January 6, it said.
A cold wave is declared when the minimum temperature drops by 4.5 degrees Celsius to 6.5 degrees Celsius below the average temperature.
Safdarjung recorded a minimum temperature of 8.1 degrees Celsius; Palam 7.9 degrees Celsius, 0.9 notches above the seasonal average; Lodhi Road 8 degrees Celsius, two notches above normal; the Ridge 9 degrees Celsius, 1.3 notches above normal; and Ayanagar 6.9 degrees Celsius, 0.1 notches below normal, the IMD data showed.
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Relative humidity was recorded at 95 per cent at 9 am.
Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 240, in the "poor" category, at 9 am, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed.
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor', and 401 to 500 'severe'.
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‘Not pre-planned’: DK Shivakumar rejects BJP charge over Ballari clash
Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday rejected the BJP’s allegation that the recent violent clash in Ballari was a “pre-planned conspiracy”, and said conclusions should be drawn only after the inquiry report is submitted.
According to a report published by NDTV on Saturday, "We have suspended the SP. Let the inquiry come out. This was not preplanned," Shivakumar said, responding to claims made by the opposition.
His remarks came after Leader of Opposition R Ashoka alleged that the clash, which resulted in the death of a Congress worker, was orchestrated in advance.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday announced the suspension of Superintendent of Police (SP) Ballari following a violent clash that killed Congress worker Rajashekhar, saying SP Pavan Nejjur has been suspended for his absence on the spot.
The violence broke out between supporters of Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy and BJP MLA G Janardhana Reddy, leading to the death of Congress worker Rajashekhar.
Siddaramaiah, speaking to the media regarding the allegations made by the opposition BJP, said, "I don't want to answer the BJP. I have suspended the SP because he was not present on the spot." NDTV quoted him as saying.
The clash led to further violent incidents, including stone pelting. According to a letter from the Director General & Inspector General of Police, Ballari Range, Ballari, the officer did not effectively manage the situation and failed to brief senior officers on the ground situation properly.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) R Hithendra said five firearms had been seized from private gunmen at the site. The weapons were allegedly used during the violence, he said.
The government has said a detailed inquiry is underway and further action will be taken based on the findings.
