Delhi Air Quality Remains In ‘Very Poor’ Category, AQI At 313

On Thursday, January 22, 2026, New Delhi is experiencing a mix of persistent cold and significantly high pollution levels.

Air Quality Update

The city’s air quality remains a major concern, settling in the ‘Very Poor’ category.

• AQI Reading: 313 (recorded by the CPCB).
• Health Impact: This level is considered hazardous, particularly for children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory issues.
• Pollution Hotspots: Specific areas like Anand Vihar (379), RK Puram (359), and Chandni Chowk (361) have reported even higher localized readings.

Current Weather Conditions

• Temperature: The minimum temperature dropped to 6.3°C, which is 1.2 notches below the seasonal average. The maximum temperature is expected to reach approximately 25°C.
• Humidity: Recorded at 100% as of 8:30 am.
• Visibility: Moderate fog was reported in the morning, which is expected to persist during late-night and early-morning hours.

Forecast for Friday (Jan 23)

A shift in weather is expected tomorrow due to a western disturbance:

• Rain & Thunder: The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Friday, forecasting light rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds.
• AQI Relief: Rainfall and winds are anticipated to help clear pollutants and improve air quality over the weekend.