<p>Pollution levels in Delhi and neighbouring cities dropped marginally on Saturday with a slight increase in the wind speed, a day after the region recorded its worst air quality forcing authorities to shut schools, ban all construction activities and declare a public health emergency.</p>.<p>The city's overall air quality index (AQI) stood at 407 at 10 am. It was 484 at 4 pm on Friday, according to official data.</p>.<p>In the National Capital Region (NCR), Ghaziabad and Greater Noida recorded AQIs of 459 and 452, respectively, at 10 am on Saturday. On Friday, they had an AQI of 496 at 4 pm, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) said.</p>.<p>Weather experts said there is a significant improvement in wind speed and it will increase gradually. Winds gusting up to 20-25 kilometres per hour are likely in the region from Sunday to Tuesday, they said.</p>.<p>Scattered rainfall in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi are likely on November 7 and 8 under the influence of Cyclone Maha and a fresh western disturbance, the weather office said.</p>.<p>This rainfall, however light, will be significant in terms of reducing the effect of stubble burning, and will wash away pollutants, they said.</p>.<p>On Friday, the Supreme Court-mandated Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority declared the public health emergency, following which the Delhi government decided to shut all schools.</p>.<p>The EPCA also banned construction activities in Delhi-NCR till November 5.</p>.<p>Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal termed Delhi a "gas chamber" and blamed stubble burning in neighbouring Haryana and nearby Punjab for the apocalyptic haze shrouding the city.</p>.<p>The share of stubble burning in Delhi's pollution stood at 46 per cent on Friday, the highest so far, according to the Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality monitor, SAFAR.</p>.<p>The AQI entered the 'severe plus' or 'emergency' category late Thursday night in Delhi, the first time since January this year.</p>.<p>An AQI between 0-50 is considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor' and 401-500 'severe'. Above 500 falls in the 'severe plus' category.</p>
<p>Pollution levels in Delhi and neighbouring cities dropped marginally on Saturday with a slight increase in the wind speed, a day after the region recorded its worst air quality forcing authorities to shut schools, ban all construction activities and declare a public health emergency.</p>.<p>The city's overall air quality index (AQI) stood at 407 at 10 am. It was 484 at 4 pm on Friday, according to official data.</p>.<p>In the National Capital Region (NCR), Ghaziabad and Greater Noida recorded AQIs of 459 and 452, respectively, at 10 am on Saturday. On Friday, they had an AQI of 496 at 4 pm, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) said.</p>.<p>Weather experts said there is a significant improvement in wind speed and it will increase gradually. Winds gusting up to 20-25 kilometres per hour are likely in the region from Sunday to Tuesday, they said.</p>.<p>Scattered rainfall in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi are likely on November 7 and 8 under the influence of Cyclone Maha and a fresh western disturbance, the weather office said.</p>.<p>This rainfall, however light, will be significant in terms of reducing the effect of stubble burning, and will wash away pollutants, they said.</p>.<p>On Friday, the Supreme Court-mandated Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority declared the public health emergency, following which the Delhi government decided to shut all schools.</p>.<p>The EPCA also banned construction activities in Delhi-NCR till November 5.</p>.<p>Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal termed Delhi a "gas chamber" and blamed stubble burning in neighbouring Haryana and nearby Punjab for the apocalyptic haze shrouding the city.</p>.<p>The share of stubble burning in Delhi's pollution stood at 46 per cent on Friday, the highest so far, according to the Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality monitor, SAFAR.</p>.<p>The AQI entered the 'severe plus' or 'emergency' category late Thursday night in Delhi, the first time since January this year.</p>.<p>An AQI between 0-50 is considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor' and 401-500 'severe'. Above 500 falls in the 'severe plus' category.</p>