7 months ago
Delhi Suffers Severe Smog and Cold
Delhi is experiencing very bad air quality and extremely cold weather.
The air is so polluted that it's hard to see, and the cold is making people light bonfires to stay warm.
The air quality is so bad that it's making it difficult for planes to take off and land safely.
The government has put in place strict rules to try and improve the air quality, but the situation is still very serious.
People are being advised to stay indoors and limit their outdoor activities.
Delhi is experiencing severe smog with AQI levels in the 'Severe' category (418-473).
A cold wave has caused temperatures to drop significantly, with Delhi's minimum temperature ranging from 5.3°C to 8°C.
Dense fog has led to reduced visibility and delays in flights at Indira Gandhi International Airport.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked Stage-IV measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to curb further deterioration in air quality.
Authorities have urged citizens to limit outdoor activities and follow health advisories due to hazardous air quality.
- Who
- Residents and commuters in Delhi and Delhi-NCR
- What
- Severe smog and cold wave affecting air quality and visibility
- Where
- Delhi and Delhi-NCR
- When
- January 19, 2026
- Why
- A combination of severe air pollution and a cold wave
Key facts
- Date
- January 19, 2026
- Location
- Delhi, Delhi-NCR
- Air Quality Index (AQI)
- 418-473 (Severe)
- Minimum Temperature in Delhi
- 5.3°C to 8°C
- Maximum Temperature in Delhi
- 22.7°C to 25°C
- Affected Areas
- ITO, Rafi Marg, Akshardham, Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Burari, Chandni Chowk, Dwarka Sector-8, Mundka, Narela, Punjabi Bagh, RK Puram, Rohini, Wazirpur
- Impact on Travel
- Delays at Indira Gandhi International Airport due to poor visibility
Timeline
IMD warns Delhi: Cold snap, heavy fog incoming.
Five days later, fog descends, visibility plummets.
January 16: Dense fog blankets Delhi, Noida.
Visibility near zero, high-rises vanish in fog.
Photographic evidence: Noida towers barely seen.
Quotes
Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is a statutory body responsible for air quality management in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas.
“Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality and relevant factors and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP unanimously decides to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-IV of the extant GRAP – ‘Severe+’ Air Quality (DELHI AQI > 450), with immediate effect, in the entire NCR, as a proactive measure. This is in addition to the actions under Stages I, II & III of the extant GRAP already in force in NCR.”
theprint.in
“NCR Pollution Control Boards and other agencies concerned have been asked to escalate the preventive measures to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region.”
theprint.in
Sources
Delhi Weather Today: Will Sunshine Bring Relief from 'Severe' AQI or Will Fog Worsen Troubles? Check Forecast
Dense fog disrupts flights
Delhi's Winter Warning: Yellow Alert Issued as IMD Warns of Dense Fog - How Cold Will It Get?
Delhi wakes up to thick blanket of smog as AQI remains severe
Delhi Chokes And Freezes: Toxic Smog And Freezing Cold Grip The National Capital Amid GRAP 4 Restrictions
Dense Smog Engulfs Delhi; AQI Slips to Severe Category at 418
Breathtaking Photo Shows Noida High-Rise Towers Peeking Through Thick Fog, Internet Reacts
Toxic Monday: Visibility Near Zero As Dense Smog Blankets Delhi-NCR, AQI Breaches 418 Mark; Air Travel Hit
Delhi air turns ‘severe’, may see slight improvement today
Delhi continues to witness ‘severe’ air quality; maximum temperature 26.7 degrees Celsius
In late January, air quality turns ‘severe’ as smog shrouds Delhi
