Delhi Sees Dense Fog, ‘Very Poor’ AQI As Cold Wave Deepens

The National Capital records an AQI of 386 on January 2, 2026; IMD warns of a 2-3°C temperature dip and persistent visibility issues through January 6.

January 2, 2025: Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) have begun 2026 under a thick, hazardous blanket of smog and dense fog. On Friday, January 2, 2026, the city’s air quality deteriorated further, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) settling at 386, firmly in the “Very Poor” category.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a fresh warning, predicting a significant drop in temperatures and cold wave conditions across North India over the next three days.

AQI Watch: Breathing Becomes a Challenge

Pollution levels remained alarmingly high due to low wind speeds and high humidity, which prevented the dispersion of toxic particulate matter.

Location	AQI (Jan 2, 8:00 AM)	Category
Anand Vihar	423	Severe
NSIT Dwarka	423	Severe
Jahangirpuri	408	Severe
Siri Fort	342	Very Poor
Chandni Chowk	340	Very Poor

Reason for Spike: Meteorological experts attribute the “Severe” spikes to a low ventilation index (below 6,000 $m^2/s$) and “calm” wind conditions that have trapped ground-level emissions.

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Weather Forecast: Intense Cold Ahead

The IMD has placed Delhi-NCR on an Orange Alert for fog and a Yellow Alert for cold wave conditions.

• Temperature Dip: Minimum temperatures are expected to plunge to 6°C by January 4, a 2-3°C drop from the current average of 10.6°C.
• Dense Fog Warning: “Very Dense” fog is likely during night and early morning hours until January 6, with visibility expected to drop below 50 meters in isolated pockets.
• Cold Day Conditions: Persistent low cloud cover will likely cause “Cold Day” conditions (where maximum temperatures are significantly below normal) across Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi for the next 48 hours.

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Travel Disruptions: Airlines & Railways Hit

The combination of smog and fog has severely impacted the city’s transport hubs.

• Aviation: Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport has been operating under CAT-III low-visibility protocols. Air India and IndiGo have warned of cascading delays, with some flights being cancelled in advance to manage the backlog.
• Railways: At least 22 long-distance trains arriving in the capital were reported delayed by 3 to 7 hours this morning due to zero visibility on Northern Railway tracks.

Precautionary Measures

Health experts have advised residents—especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions—to avoid outdoor morning activities. Authorities have stepped up the use of anti-smog guns and water sprinklers in high-traffic zones like Anand Vihar to provide temporary relief from suspended dust.