60 test positive for swine flu, total crosses the 400-mark

Another 60 patients tested positive for swine flu on Sunday, taking the total number of diagnosed patients this year to 420.

Health department officials said the continuing cold weather and the intermittent rainfall are responsible for the surge in cases this year. “We had a few days of relief over the past two weeks, but the rainfall on Friday and Saturday brought down the temperatures again. Humidity levels are still high,” an official said.

These conditions, according to experts, are conducive to the growth and spread of the H1N1 virus, which causes swine flu. When the temperatures go up, doctors hope the H1N1 cases are come down.

With the number of diagnosed patients crossing the 400 mark, and nine confirmed deaths reported since January 1, Health Minister Dr A K Walia has held two meetings to review the swine flu management system in Delhi government hospitals. Doctors and scientists from the Central government and National Centre for Disease Control have attended these meetings.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/60-test-positive-for-swine-flu-total-crosses-the-400mark/1075747/

Light showers, cloudy sky likely today

The capital saw about 20 mm of rain in the weekend, but the worst of the storm is over and the weatherman predicted that Monday’s weather will be similar to that of Sunday.

Light showers and partly cloudy sky are expected on Monday, along with light wind, Met officials said. On Sunday, 2.1 mm of rainfall was recorded in the capital. The maximum temperature was 19.5 degree Celsius, five degree below normal, but three degree above Saturday’s maximum.

About 18.6 mm of rainfall was recorded between Friday night and Saturday, when the storm hit the city. The storm was caused by cool air masses from the north colliding with warm air masses from the east, the same formations that caused the record-breaking storm earlier this month, when over 50 mm rainfall was recorded in the capital.

The lowest temperature recorded on Sunday was 12 degree Celsius, a degree above normal, but two degree less than that on Saturday. On Monday, the maximum temperature is expected to be 21 degree Celsius and the minimum will be 10 degree Celsius.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/light-showers-cloudy-sky-likely-today/1075746/

On Valentine’s Day, Delhi has a date with rain

This Valentine’s Day another spell of rain and thundershower are expected to drench Delhi. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said this round of rainfall could be heavier than the previous that broke the 70-year record for the month of February.

Officials said another set of cold and wet air mass is moving towards Delhi, and is expected to bring moderate snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand. The IMD predicted that the storm will be at its peak on Friday and Saturday nights, with chances of hail and thunder squalls.

Last week, similar air masses brought 46 mm rainfall in 24 hours in Delhi.

Officials said rainfall is also expected in Punjab, Haryana, north Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. After the storm, officials predict the mercury will drop on February 18 for a couple of days and fog will roll in.

Tuesday, however, is expected to be clear after some mist and fog in the morning. The temperatures are expected to stay between 24 and 9 degrees Celsius.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/on-valentines-day-delhi-has-a-date-with-rain/1072782/

Severely injured, leopard recovers at Delhi Zoo

A five-year-old female leopard is undergoing treatment at the Delhi Zoo for the wounds she sustained when she tried to leap over a 15-foot boundary wall of a farmhouse in Chhattarpur, South Delhi, on Tuesday.

The leopard could not make it over the wall and her limbs were impaled by the iron spikes put on the wall as a security measure.

A security guard had spotted the leopard, which officials suspect strayed from the forests of the Aravalli Hills, and informed the authorities. It took the Wildlife and NGO officials seven hours of work through the rain to rescue the feline.

A veterinary doctor at the zoo said on Wednesday that they had given the animal oral and topical treatment for the wounds. Some of the cuts, they said, go all the way till the bone and they will be checking on those too. An official said the leopard will take at least a couple of days to recover from the shock and then they will check on her overall health. This will determine whether the animal can be returned to the wild.

Two of the leopard’s legs have severe injuries and it is not clear yet if she will be able to walk. Doctors did not find any internal injuries, leaving them optimistic about her survival.

Geeta Seshamani, co-founder of NGO Wildlife SOS that helped rescue the leopard, said the animal might have strayed from the Aravalli Hills. She said at least 30 leopards are sighted in the Aravalli forests every year.

“This leopard in Delhi clearly indicates that there is a serious man-animal conflict in this region,” said said.

The zoo staff are working to comfort the sedated animal by keeping the lights low, but so far she has been in a “very bad mood”.

Joint Director of the Delhi Zoo T C Nautiyal said: “She growls and tries to get up when someone goes close.”

Around three years ago, Wildlife SOS had tried to capture another leopard, who was sighted in North Delhi. But the big cat was not found. In 2008, a leopard was caught in the Gurgaon after killing several animals in the area.

Shy and Elusive

Leopards are elusive, solitary and largely nocturnal

They are very agile and can run at over 58 kmph, leap over 20 feet horizontally and jump up to 10 feet vertically — the wall that the Delhi leopard tried to leap over was at least 15-foot high

They are also very versatile and opportunistic hunters

They have a broad diet that includes rodents, reptiles, amphibians, insects and birds

Leopards are known for their ability in climbing and are powerful swimmers

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/severely-injured-leopard-recovers-at-delhi-zoo/1070432/0

Shahdara lake in line for revival

The Shahdara lake is in line for revival with the Trans-Yamuna Area Development Board giving its consent for the project. The East Municipal Corporation will now undertake the project, which is expected to be completed latest by 2015.

The approval and the beginning of revival project will also help clear any encroachment on the dried up lake.

“We have 30.74 acres of land in North Shahdara. The lake will be developed on 10 acres. Four to five acres will be developed as playground for children of the nearby areas. We cannot take away playground from the children who play there,” Commissioner of East corporation S S Yadav said.

The lake will be surrounded by a moat, where water will be treated through Phytorid technology. There will be a boating deck, an island and a fresh-water marsh.

The corporation has planned an amphitheater for holding cultural events. On other side will be a fish pond and lagoons. Shops of food and souvenirs will be set along with the seating area.

“We have been planning to develop the eco-friendly section with shops selling eco-friendly products,” Yadav said.

There will also be a commercial area for conferences and parties. Parking space has also been earmarked.

The lake is located near GT Road and is surrounded by the residential colonies. “A water body enhances the biodiversity and aesthetic of entire area. The site has the potential to be developed as a tourist spot as well,” the commissioner said.

The Finance and Planning department, too, has given its approval to the proposal.

A budget estimate of Rs 22 crore has been prepared with National Environment Engineering Research Institute as the consultant, Director, Press and Information of the corporation, Yogendra Mann said.

In Figures

Total available area

30.74 acres

Total area for lake

10 acres

Area for playground

4-5 acres

Moat depth

15 to 20 feet

Facilities

n Amphitheater

n Banquet halls and conference halls

n Commercial and shopping area

n Seating area

n Boating deck

n Playing areas

n Greens and lagoons

n An island

Proposal

To revive a dead 10-acre lake

To biologically treat large amount of sewage water (three million litres daily) and reuse it

To test PPP model on a park project

A moat to demarcate the public area from the eco-sensitive zone

Building of banquet halls, party lawns or shops to generate revenue benefits

Well-developed open space for residents, with a recreation area

Close to Metro station and residential areas

Treated water will be available throughout the year

Groundwater recharge to help replenish water table

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/shahdara-lake-in-line-for-revival/1068918/0