Delhi Surpasses Normal August Rainfall, Weekend Rainfall Forecasted New Delhi, Aug 21 — The Indian capital has exceeded its typical August rainfall levels, with the Safdarjung observatory recording 235.3 millimeters of rain in the first 21 days of the month. This marks a departure from the city’s average August rainfall of 233.1 millimeters. The initial report by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had indicated that Delhi had crossed the monthly normal earlier in the month, but this figure was later revised due to an entry error. Subsequent data showed the city was below the monthly average at that point. The weather outlook for the weekend includes further rainfall, with the IMD predicting generally cloudy skies and light rain or drizzle during the day on Friday. Very light to light rainfall is expected during the night, while moderate rain is anticipated on Saturday. The city’s maximum temperature on Thursday reached 35.8 degrees Celsius, 1.6 degrees above the normal level. Station-specific data revealed variations: Palam recorded 34.7 degrees Celsius, 0.2 degrees above normal, while Lodhi Road measured 36.1 degrees Celsius, 3.1 degrees above normal. Ridge and Ayanagar reported 35.0 and 35.7 degrees Celsius, respectively, both 1.1 and 1.6 degrees above their respective averages. The minimum temperature on Friday settled at 28.4 degrees Celsius, 1.9 degrees above the normal range. Palam recorded a minimum of 25.6 degrees Celsius, 0.7 degrees below normal, while Lodhi Road’s minimum was 27.8 degrees Celsius, 1.8 degrees above normal. Ridge’s minimum temperature was 25.2 degrees Celsius, 0.1 degrees above normal, and Ayanagar’s minimum stood at 27.3 degrees Celsius, 1.7 degrees above normal. Relative humidity in the morning was reported at 60 percent.#delhi #india_meteorological_department #central_pollution_control_board #safdarjung #press_trust_of_india
Girls Lead Punjab's 'Sikhya Kranti' Initiative as 19 of 20 Top Class 8 Results Go to Female Students Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday highlighted the transformative impact of the state's 'Sikhya Kranti' initiative, emphasizing that girls from ordinary families have dominated the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) Class 8 results by securing 19 of the top 20 positions. The announcement, made during a ceremony at his residence on April 12, underscored the government's commitment to recognizing merit and expanding access to quality education. According to a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI), the initiative has delivered significant results, with female students leading the academic performance. Mann announced that the top 20 students will receive direct admission to Schools of Eminence without needing to take entrance exams. This policy aims to reward academic excellence and ensure that talented students have opportunities to pursue higher education. The chief minister also honored the top three achievers with a cash prize of Rs 50,000 each, urging students to remain grounded, work hard, and choose role models who align with their aspirations. He emphasized that Punjab's transformed government schools are now emerging as a national benchmark in education. The top three students in the PSEB Class 8 results were Tamanna from Saraswati Senior Secondary School, Jaito (Faridkot), who secured the first position with a perfect score of 600 out of 600. Japneet Kaur from Government Middle School, Arkawas (Sangrur), came in second with 598 marks, while Jashandeep Kaur from Sant Mohan Das Memorial Senior Secondary School, Kot Sukhia (Faridkot), secured the third position with the same score.#press_trust_of_india #punjab_chief_minister_bhagwant_mann #sikhya_kranti #punjab_school_education_board #tamanna_jaito_faridkot
SECL Production Up Five Point Two Six Per Cent In FY2025-26 South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) reported a coal production of 176.2 million tonnes during the fiscal year 2025-26, marking a 5.26 per cent increase from the 167.4 million tonnes recorded in the previous fiscal year, 2024-25. This growth in output was driven by rising energy demand across the country, as highlighted in the report. The data was released by the Press Trust of India. Coal offtake for the same period rose to 178.6 million tonnes, up from 170.7 million tonnes in the prior year, representing a 4.6 per cent increase. The company also achieved its highest-ever overburden removal (OBR) of 364.3 million cubic metres, which improved access to deeper coal seams. Overburden removal, referred to as OBR, is a critical process in coal mining that involves clearing layers of earth and rock to reach the coal deposits. SECL became the only subsidiary of Coal India Limited to register positive growth in all three key metrics—coal production, offtake, and OBR—during the 2025-26 fiscal year. This performance underscored the company’s operational progress and its role in meeting the nation’s energy needs. The chairman and managing director of SECL attributed the success to the dedication and teamwork of the workforce, emphasizing that the achievement reinforced the company’s contribution to national energy security. Management described the results as a milestone, reflecting sustained operational focus and efficiency. Beyond production, SECL highlighted its progress in diversifying its business portfolio.#coal_india_limited #south_eastern_coalfields_limited #press_trust_of_india #secl_chairman_and_manging_director #coal_gasification
