New Delhi, January 17, 2026
Residents of Delhi and the surrounding NCR regions faced a difficult Saturday morning as dense fog, severe cold and worsening air pollution combined to disrupt daily life. With visibility dropping sharply and air quality dipping into the “very poor” to “hazardous” category, travel, transport and routine activities were heavily affected.
Dense Fog Covers Delhi; Visibility Drops to Zero in Some Pockets
A thick blanket of fog spread across multiple parts of the national capital early Saturday. In several areas, visibility dropped to near zero, slowing down road traffic and forcing commuters to take extreme caution. The reduced visibility also impacted flight and train operations, leading to delays at Delhi Airport and affecting thousands of passengers.
AQI in Many Neighborhoods Crosses 400
According to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) on Saturday morning was recorded at 368, falling under the “very poor” category. However, several monitoring stations showed even more alarming numbers.
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed the following AQI readings:
Alipur: 350
Anand Vihar: 442
Ashok Vihar: 385
Aya Nagar: 316
Bawana: 357
Burari: 360
Chandni Chowk: 427
DTU: 350
Dwarka Sector 8: 407
IGI Airport T3: 304
ITO: 405
Jahangirpuri: 416
Lodhi Road: 317
Mundka: 397
Najafgarh: 307
Narela: 347
Punjabi Bagh: 394
RK Puram: 374
Rohini: 389
Sonia Vihar: 401
Vivek Vihar: 420
Wazirpur: 399
The combination of soot, vehicle emissions, moisture and stagnant winter air has significantly worsened pollution levels across the city.
Hazardous Conditions Add to Winter Hardship
The ongoing cold wave, intensified by heavy fog and toxic air, has made outdoor activities difficult, especially for children, senior citizens, and people with respiratory illnesses. Health experts have advised residents to avoid early morning outings, use N95 masks outdoors and ensure proper ventilation indoors.
Delhi’s pollution levels are expected to remain in the “very poor” to “severe” category over the next 24 hours unless wind speed improves.
