Delhi AQI Slips To ‘Severe’ Category At 418, Dense Smog Engulfs

The national capital woke up to a hazardous start on Monday, January 19, 2026, as a dense layer of toxic smog blanketed the city. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 418—well within the “severe” category—triggering emergency measures and widespread disruptions to travel and daily life.

The current crisis is a result of stagnant winds, high humidity, and a drop in temperature, which have trapped pollutants close to the ground.

AQI Snapshot: Hotspots and Highs

While the city average stands at 418, several areas have recorded “Severe+” levels exceeding 450.

Location	AQI Level	Category
Ashok Vihar	473	Severe
Wazirpur	472	Severe
Mundka	467	Severe
Anand Vihar	462	Severe
Akshardham	455	Severe
ITO	434	Severe

Emergency Response: GRAP Stage-IV Invoked

In response to the plummeting air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reinvoked Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Saturday evening.

Key Restrictions Under GRAP-IV:

Truck Entry Ban: No entry for trucks into Delhi except those carrying essential commodities or providing essential services (LNG/CNG/Electric/BS-VI Diesel trucks are exempt).
Hybrid Schooling: All schools in Delhi-NCR (including Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Noida) have shifted to hybrid mode (online classes), except for students in Grades 10 and 12.
Construction Halt: Total ban on linear public projects (highways, flyovers, power lines).
Work from Home: State governments may consider 50% capacity in offices or remote work for non-essential services.

Travel Disruptions: Flights and Trains

The double blow of dense fog and smog reduced visibility to near-zero in parts of the city, significantly impacting transport.

Aviation: Over 100 flights at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport have faced delays since Sunday night. Airlines like IndiGo and Air India have issued advisories for passengers to check flight status before heading to the airport.
Railways: At least 47 trains arriving in or departing from Delhi are running late by 2–6 hours due to poor visibility across the Northern Railway zone.

Mumbai Weather Update

While Delhi chokes, Mumbai also experienced an unusually foggy morning on Monday. Temperatures in the financial capital are hovering between 17°C and 30°C, with an AQI level around 168 (Unhealthy), significantly better than Delhi but still below satisfactory levels.

Disha Rojhe