Night temperatures drop sharply after spell of rain in Delhi, air quality sees slight improvement
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi on Saturday witnessed sharp drop in temperatures and a slight improvement in air quality after the spell of rain a day ago.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Safdarjung station recorded a minimum temperature of 7.6 degrees Celsius, 0.1 degrees above the season's normal, marking a sharp fall from Friday's low of 13.7 degrees Celsius, which was the highest in four years.
Among the other major stations, Palam and Lodhi Road both saw minimum temperatures of 6.8 degree Celsius, while The Ridge recorded 6.6 degrees and Ayanagar 6 degrees Celsius, the coldest.
The air quality saw a slight improvement on Saturday morning, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) settling at 256, in the 'poor' category, against 293 on Friday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) Sameer app.
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The air quality was 'poor' at 29 stations while it was 'very poor' at four stations. The AQI data for three stations were not available while writing this report. Among the stations, Dwarka recorded the lowest AQI of 113.
According to the CPCB, an AQI between 0 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'.
The Air Quality Early Warning System has forecast Delhi's air quality to remain in the 'poor' category for the next two days. The outlook for the subsequent six days shows that it is likely to be in the 'poor' to 'very poor' category.
According to the IMD, the maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be in the ranges of 17 to 19 degrees Celsius and 6 to 8 degrees Celsius, respectively. The minimum temperatures will be near normal and the maximum temperatures will be 1.3 to 3.3 degrees Celsius below normal, it stated.
The IMD has also predicted generally cloudy sky and shallow to moderate fog during morning hours, with strong surface winds with speeds ranging from 10-20 kilometres per hour.
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Karnataka Forest Minister warns against illegal tree felling amid gas shortage
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Thursday directed officials to remain vigilant to prevent illegal tree felling in forests, areas bordering them, and government lands in the wake of increased demand for firewood due to LPG scarcity, triggered by the widening West Asia conflict.
In written instructions issued to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of the Forest Force, Meenakshi Negi, the minister said that the impact of the LPG shortage has been felt in Karnataka as well.
Citing that restaurants, resorts and homestays are facing difficulties in obtaining commercial LPG cylinders, and disruptions are being reported in the supply of domestic cooking gas, he has ordered officials to intensify patrols and surveillance to prevent illegal tree felling for firewood.
He further directed all forest circles and divisions to take appropriate patrol and precautionary measures.
The minister warned that if illegal tree felling occurs in forests or government land, the concerned range officer and staff would be held responsible.
