Air Quality Index

After the hurriedly called BJP legislative party meeting, Deb announced Saha's name for the top post, stating that he would extend all kinds of cooperation to the new Chief Minister. Saha, the 69-year-old dental surgeon-turned-politician, was elected to the Rajya Sabha from the lone seat of Tripura on March 31.

Accompanied by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Deb went to the Raj Bhavan on Saturday afternoon and submitted his resignayion to Governor Satyadeo Narain Arya. Deb became the Chief Minister on March 9, 2018 after the BJP-led alliance came to power by defeating the Left Front in the Assembly elections. Further details are awaited.

The people continued to breathe polluted air, as the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was 256 for PM10 and 148 for PM2.5. The PM2.5 level was under the 'very poor' category.

In a statement on Sunday, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said, "Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of 22 developmental projects worth over Rs 4,800 crore in Imphal. Thereafter in Agartala, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the new integrated terminal building at Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport and will also launch two key development initiatives."

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", then between 401 and 500 is considered "severe". The level of PM10 (226) and PM2.5 (122) pollutants in the air were recorded in the "poor" and "very poor" categories, respectively with the latter being the major source of pollutant in the city.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", then 401 and between 500 is considered "severe". The level of PM10 (226) and PM2.5 (122) pollutants in the air were recorded in the moderate and very poor categories, respectively with the latter being the major source of pollutant in the city.

In its latest forecast, the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) said that due to a Western Disturbance, "light to moderate scattered to fairly widespread rainfall/snowfall very likely over Western Himalayan Region till December 28; light rainfall at isolated to scattered places very likely over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Rajasthan till December 28.

The AQI is expected to remain under the 'very poor' category over the weekend and the national capital is likely to observe improved air quality, as per the predictions of the air quality and weather bulletin. The Air Quality Index (AQI) had hit the 400 or 'severe' mark on Friday. The AQI improved from 'severe' to 'very poor' category on Saturday morning as it stood at 398.

Two days ago, while suggesting states to open schools in phased manner, the CAQM had stated that keeping in view the current air quality in Delhi-NCR, there is a need to exercise control on various sectors that significantly contribute to air pollution and hence had continued its ban on the construction and demolition activities, in place since November 27.

The predominant surface wind is likely to be coming from the Northwest direction of Delhi with a wind speed 4 kmph, mainly clear sky, and shallow fog in the morning on December 8, according to the  Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi.