Delhi Chokes in Severe Smog as Cold Wave and Toxic Air Hit Hard Today
Delhi's air quality turns 'severe' amid dense fog and intense cold wave conditions.
Residents of the national capital woke up to hazardous conditions on Sunday as Delhi was engulfed in a thick layer of toxic smog and dense fog, pushing air quality into the ‘severe’ category. The situation was compounded by an intensifying cold wave, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue alerts across several parts of the city.
According to IMD data, Delhi’s primary Safdarjung weather station recorded a minimum temperature of 4.4 degrees Celsius on Saturday, while Ayanagar reported 4.9 degrees Celsius. Several other areas saw temperatures dipping below the 5-degree mark, signalling a sharp intensification of winter conditions across the capital.
In its latest bulletin, the IMD forecasted partly cloudy skies with moderate fog at many places and dense fog at isolated locations during morning hours. The maximum temperature is expected to remain between 21 and 23 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures may hover between 4 and 6 degrees Celsius over the next 24 hours.
Also Read: Delhi-NCR Shivers Through Intense Cold Wave, Fog Disrupts Flights Across Airports
Air quality levels continued to worsen, with the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at a dangerous 437 at 6:30 a.m., categorised as ‘severe’, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Multiple monitoring stations reported AQI readings above 450, placing them in the ‘severe+’ category.
Areas including Wazirpur, Rohini, Anand Vihar, Punjabi Bagh, Mundka, Bawana, Chandni Chowk, RK Puram, Sonia Vihar, and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium recorded extremely hazardous pollution levels. Prolonged exposure to such conditions poses serious health risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory ailments.
Reduced visibility due to dense fog also disrupted daily life, prompting the IMD to issue a nowcast warning. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport implemented Low Visibility Procedures, advising passengers to stay in touch with airlines for real-time updates, even as flight operations largely remained normal. Authorities continue to closely monitor the evolving situation as harsh winter conditions grip the region.
Also Read: Delhi Records Coldest Morning in Three Years; IMD Issues Yellow Alert as Air Quality Worsens
