City News Today Live Updates: Farmers hold protests against state govt over various demands in Punjab

City News Today Live: Farmers move towards Phagwara in large numbers

Farmers in Punjab announced on Saturday that their protests against the government will persist as they press for various demands, including timely paddy procurement. A chakka jam is set to be organized in Sangrur, Bhatinda, Moga, Batala, and Gurdaspur.

The farmers are also protesting against police actions related to stubble burning. Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (PKMSC) district president Aranjeet Singh stated that they will gather in Phagwara to address the issues facing farmers in the state.

City News Today Live: We have placed a diversion plan, says Rupinder Kaur Bhatti, SP of Punjab's Phagwara

"The protest that is happening today. Keeping in mind the blockade here, we have placed a diversion plan. We have also requested farmers, which they have agreed to, that any emergency service, medical ambulance, if someone has to go to the airport or any other important work, they will be allowed, there will be no problem for the public and negotiations are going on with us," said Rupinder Kaur Bhatti, SP, Phagwara

City News Today Live: Farmers in Punjab announced a fresh one-day protest against the State Government over various demands, including paddy procurement.

City News Today Live: Farmers hold protests in Sangrur's Badrukhan

City News Today Live: Water sprinklers press into service as layer of smog covers parts of Delhi

City News Today Live: Thick toxic foam floats in Yamuna River near Delhi's Kalindi Kunj

Thick, toxic foam was spotted again on the Yamuna River at Kalindi Kunj on Saturday, as pollution levels in the river continue to be alarmingly high in the national capital. Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality showed slight improvement, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 237, still falling within the "poor" category, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).

City News Today Live: Several areas in Odisha receive rainfall, Dana weakens into low pressure area

Several areas in Odisha experienced light to moderate rainfall on Saturday as Cyclone Dana gradually weakened into a well-marked low-pressure system within the state, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

In its latest bulletin, the IMD stated, "The depression (remnant of severe cyclonic storm DANA) over north Odisha moved slightly westward over the past six hours and has weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area in the same region. It is expected to weaken further and become insignificant within the next 12 hours."

City News Today Live: Air quality improves in Delhi due to favourable winds

Air quality in the national capital improved due to favorable winds, although the Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the "poor" category on Saturday. At 9 AM, Delhi's AQI was recorded at 227, down from 281 on Friday morning, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The 24-hour average AQI until 4pm on Friday was 270.

This marks the second consecutive day of improvement after four days of "very poor" air quality. However, areas like Mundka and Anand Vihar still reported AQI levels in the "very poor" category.

The AQI scale categorizes air quality as follows: 0-50 is "good," 51-100 is "satisfactory," 101-200 is "moderate," 201-300 is "poor," 301-400 is "very poor," and 401-500 is "severe."

City News Today Live Updates: Cyclone 'Dana' weakens into well marked low pressure area, likely to become insignificant in next 6 hours

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that Cyclone 'Dana' has weakened into a "well-marked" low-pressure area and is expected to dissipate further. The cyclone made landfall on Friday along the Odisha coast, causing damage by uprooting trees, severing power lines, and resulting in one fatality in West Bengal. It struck between Bhitarkanika and Dhamra in Odisha, with wind speeds reaching 100-110 km/h.

In a post on X, the IMD stated, "The depression (remnant of severe cyclonic storm 'DANA') over north Odisha moved slightly westwards over the past six hours and has weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area in the same region. It is likely to weaken further and become insignificant within the next 12 hours."

City News Today Live: Delhi records slightly better quality air but pollution levels still high

Delhi's air quality showed slight improvement, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 237 on Saturday. Despite this improvement, the AQI remains in the "Poor" category, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).

City News Today: Toxic foam seen floating on Yamuna River

City News Today Live: SC refuses to interfere in policy to ban old diesel, petrol vehicles in NCR

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to intervene in the policy banning diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in Delhi NCR. The court dismissed a plea to implement the policy prospectively, advising the petitioner to address his concerns to the government instead.

The petitioner challenged the 2024 guidelines issued by the Delhi Government, which prohibit older vehicles from operating in the NCR. He argued that the retrospective application of the ban unfairly impacts owners of cars purchased before the National Green Tribunal's order, leading to financial losses and reduced vehicle use without compensation.

City News Today Live: Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai on pollution

“As part of the pilot project, the drones operated at a height of 120 metres, covering a 200-metre radius, and transmitted data on various pollution sources to the environment department and Delhi Pollution Control Committee. Engineers from both the agencies will analyse this data and submit a report, which will inform further actions for pollution control. If the pilot project proves successful, drone mapping will be extended to other hotspots across the city,” said Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai

“Drone mapping technology is an essential tool for identifying air pollution sources in the city. With advanced sensors, drones can reach crowded urban areas, industrial zones, and locations that are difficult to monitor using traditional methods,” the minister added.

City News Today: Drone used to find sources of pollution in Delhi

A drone was deployed for the first time to identify pollution sources in Wazirpur, one of the 13 pollution hotspots in Delhi on Friday. Environment minister Gopal Rai announced that this pilot project aims to utilize modern technology for more effective pollution control.

ity News Today Live Updates: Delhi AQI improves to 'poor'

On Friday, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) improved from "very poor" to "poor" thanks to strong surface winds. However, this improvement is expected to be temporary, as the AQI is forecasted to fluctuate between "very poor" and "severe" over the next six days. The AQI recorded at noon was 285, dropping to 274 by 4pm and further to 267 by 5pm. The average AQI for the day was 270, a decrease from 306 the previous day.

City News Today Live: Delhi's air quality remains in 'Poor' category

Toxic foam is floating on the Yamuna River in the Kalindi Kunj area of Delhi. As cold weather arrives, pollution is worsening, and the city's air quality is staying in the "poor" category.