A drone shot from the AIIMS space reveals New Delhi’s thick layer of smog engulfing the town. file. |Photograph courtesy of ANI
Thick smog engulfed a number of areas of the nationwide capital on Monday morning (January 19, 2026), inflicting a pointy drop in visibility and deteriorating air high quality throughout Delhi-NC. The general air high quality index (AQI) was recorded at 418, falling beneath the ‘extreme’ class.
In accordance with knowledge launched by the Central Air pollution Management Board (CPCB), the air high quality index (AQI) within the ITO area recorded 434, falling beneath the ‘extreme’ class. The same scenario prevailed close to Rafi Marg, the place the AQI was 417, whereas AQI of 455 was reported close to Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Pandav Nagar.
A number of different elements of the capital additionally witnessed alarmingly excessive air pollution ranges. Anand Vihar 462, Ashok Vihar 473, Bawana 448, Burari 460, Chandni Chowk 454, Dwarka Sector-8 The AQI was recorded at 427, Munka 467, Narela 437, Punjabi Bagh 434, RK Puram 439, Rohini 437 and Wazirpur 472. The area stays within the “extreme” class, indicating very poor air high quality and elevated well being dangers.
Visibility within the IT stretch was close to zero within the morning, slowing visitors motion and disrupting regular vehicular motion.
Chilly wave circumstances and dense fog additionally affected air journey operations, with a number of flights delayed as a result of poor visibility at Indira Gandhi Worldwide Airport.
Delhi recorded a minimal temperature of 8 levels Celsius on Monday (January 19, 2026), whereas the utmost temperature is anticipated to achieve round 25 levels Celsius later within the day, in line with the India Meteorological Division (IMD).
In the meantime, in response to deteriorating air high quality, the Fee for Air High quality Administration (CAQM) on Saturday (January 17, 2026) re-imposed Stage IV measures beneath the Graded Response Motion Plan (GRAP) throughout Delhi and the Nationwide Capital Area (NCR).
“Maintaining in thoughts the prevailing traits in air high quality and associated elements, and to stop additional deterioration of air high quality within the area, the GRAP sub-committee of the CAQM has unanimously determined to instantly activate all actions envisaged beneath the present GRAP Stage IV, ‘Extreme+’ air high quality (Delhi AQI > 450) as a proactive measure throughout the NCR. That is along with these actions. Primarily based on the prevailing GRAP Levels I, II and III that are already in power in NCR,” the order from CAQM stated.
The order additional added, “The NCR Air pollution Management Board and different involved businesses have been requested to accentuate preventive measures to stop additional deterioration of air high quality within the area.” Because of continued extreme air pollution, chilly waves and dense fog, authorities are urging individuals to restrict outside actions, observe well being advisories and take precautions in opposition to hazardous air high quality.
Mumbai additionally woke as much as dense fog on Monday morning, with temperatures hovering between 17 and 30 levels Celsius.
