Cold Wave, Dense Fog Grip Delhi-NCR As Air Quality Remains Poor

Delhi-NCR continued to reel under intense cold wave and foggy conditions on Tuesday, with air quality remaining in the ‘poor’ category for the second straight day.

Dense fog during the early morning hours significantly reduced visibility, affecting both road and air traffic across the region.

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Sameer app, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 286 on Tuesday, worsening from 244 recorded a day earlier.

Despite the deterioration, the Air Quality Early Warning System has forecast a temporary improvement to the ‘moderate’ category later in the day.

However, forecasts indicate that air quality will slip back into the ‘poor’ category on January 7 and 8 and remain in the ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ range over the next six days, raising public health concerns.

Amid the inclement weather, Delhi Airport issued a passenger advisory, warning of delays due to low visibility.

In a post on X, the airport said flight operations were being conducted under CAT III conditions owing to dense fog, resulting in delays.

Passengers were advised to stay in touch with their respective airlines for the latest updates. The airport also assured travellers that on-ground officials were available across all terminals to provide assistance.

Several airlines echoed similar concerns. IndiGo cautioned that low visibility and fog over multiple cities, including Delhi, Amritsar, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Guwahati, Varanasi, Ranchi and Hindon Airport, could impact flight schedules.

The airline urged passengers to check flight status through its website or mobile application.

Temperatures Likely to Fall Further: IMD

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said minimum temperatures across northwest India are likely to fall gradually by 2–3 degrees Celsius over the next four days, while central and eastern regions may witness a similar dip over the next two days.

In Delhi, the minimum temperature on Tuesday will likely hover around 7 degrees Celsius, while the maximum may settle near 19 degrees Celsius.

On Monday, the city recorded a maximum temperature of 18.5 degrees Celsius, about 0.8 degrees below normal, while the minimum stood at 6.6 degrees Celsius, marginally lower than the seasonal average.

Station-wise data showed Safdarjung recording a maximum of 18 degrees Celsius, Palam 15.3 degrees, Lodhi Road 17.8 degrees, Ridge 17.7 degrees and Ayanagar 17 degrees Celsius.

With cold conditions and pollution levels remaining elevated, authorities have advised residents—particularly the elderly and those with respiratory ailments—to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure.

Experts have also urged people to take necessary precautions, including wearing warm clothing and limiting outdoor activities during early morning and late evening hours.

Overall, weather and pollution-related challenges will persist in the coming days, keeping both commuters and residents on high alert.

Also Read: Cold Wave Grips Delhi As Air Quality Remains Poor Across NCR