Delhi-NCR started the new year with very poor air quality, thick fog, and falling temperatures, making daily life difficult for people across the region. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that cold wave conditions and dense fog will continue for several days as pollution remains dangerously high.
On January 2, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 386, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category. Thick smog and fog reduced visibility across many parts of the capital, forcing airlines to issue travel alerts and causing problems for road and rail transport.
#WATCH | Delhi: A layer of fog envelops the city amid the cold wave. Visuals from the area near AIIMS. pic.twitter.com/wWg7cHvhcz
— ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2026
Cold Wave to Continue Till January 5
The IMD has predicted cold wave conditions in isolated areas of Delhi from January 2 to January 5. Similar cold weather is also expected in Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana during the same period.
These conditions are being caused by persistent fog and low cloud cover, which stop sunlight from warming the surface.
Temperatures Below Normal
Delhi’s maximum temperature was recorded at 17.3°C, which is about two degrees lower than normal.
The minimum temperature stood at 10.6°C, slightly higher than the usual winter average.
The IMD expects the maximum temperature to stay between 16°C and 18°C, while the minimum may range from 8°C to 10°C in the coming days.
Dense Fog Warning Till January 6
The IMD has issued a warning that dense to very dense fog will continue in Delhi during night and early morning hours till January 6. This increases the chances of flight delays, road accidents, and train disruptions.
Visibility Falls to 500 Metres
Because of heavy fog and smog, visibility dropped to 500 metres at both Safdarjung and Palam airports during late night and early morning hours. It improved only slightly to 600 metres by mid-morning.
The IMD said similar visibility problems are likely to continue.
Many Areas Record ‘Severe’ Air Quality
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI remained at 380, still in the ‘very poor’ category.
Out of Delhi’s monitoring stations:
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26 stations reported ‘very poor’ air quality
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11 stations recorded ‘severe’ levels
The worst-hit area was Anand Vihar, which registered an AQI of 423.
Why Pollution Is So High
Officials explained that pollution levels rose because of low wind speed and an unfavourable ventilation index, which fell below 6,000 square metres per second. This means polluted air is not getting dispersed, allowing harmful particles to remain trapped over the city.
Flights Disrupted Due to Fog
Airlines such as Air India and IndiGo warned passengers that flight schedules could be affected due to poor visibility.
IndiGo also said it had cancelled some flights in advance to reduce inconvenience for travellers.
Coldest December Day Since 2019
Delhi also witnessed its coldest December day in four years on December 31, when the maximum temperature fell to 14.2°C about 6.2 degrees below normal.
Weather Outlook for the Coming Days
The IMD has forecast:
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Partly cloudy skies
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Moderate fog at many places
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Dense fog in a few areas during morning hours
This pattern is expected to continue for the next few days.
Cold Day Conditions Likely
The IMD also warned that cold day conditions may affect Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Bihar between January 1 and January 3 because of thick fog and lack of sunshine.
