Delhi's air quality at 'severe' but some relief seen just before Diwali
Diwali as meteorological conditions are likely to become slightly favourable.
The city's Air Quality Index (AQI) was at 420 at 8 am on Thursday, tad lower than 426 at 4 pm on Wednesday.
The AQI map prepared by the Central Pollution Control Board showed clusters of red dots (indicating hazardous air quality) spread across the Indo-Gangetic plains, PTI noted.
Neighbouring Ghaziabad (369), Gurugram (396), Noida (394), Greater Noida (450), and Faridabad (413) also reported very bad air quality.
India Meteorological Department officials said a change in wind direction from northwest to southeast owing to a fresh western disturbance affecting northwest India will help reduce the smoke contribution from stubble burning, but slow wind speed will counteract this.
However, once the western disturbance passes, the wind speed will increase from around 5-6 kmph, at present, to around 15 kmph on November 11, which will help disperse pollutants ahead of Diwali, PTI cited the officials.
Decision Support System data showed stubble burning in neighbouring states of Delhi, particularly Punjab and Haryana, accounted for 38 per cent of the air pollution in Delhi on Wednesday.
It is likely to be 27 per cent on Thursday and 12 per cent on Friday. Decision Support System data is a numerical model-based framework capable of identifying sources of particulate matter pollution in Delhi
The data also shows that transport is another major factor, contributing 12 to 14 per cent to Delhi's foul air.
In view of the worsening air pollution, the Delhi government on Wednesday rescheduled the December winter break of all schools, which will now be from November 9 to November 18.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said the entry of app-based taxis
