Delhi Pollution: The national capital continued to battle alarming air pollution levels as air quality remained firmly in the very poor category, creating serious health and visibility concerns across Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region. Early morning data showed that pollution levels were dangerously close to the severe threshold, while dense fog further compounded the situation by reducing visibility and disrupting daily routines.

Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index of 389 at 8:00 am, reflecting sustained exposure to polluted air. Thick fog covered most parts of the city during early hours, making commuting difficult and adding to respiratory discomfort among residents. Despite regular warnings, pollution levels showed little sign of improvement as winter conditions trapped pollutants close to the ground.

Current Air Quality Conditions in Delhi

Several monitoring stations across Delhi reported severe air quality levels. Areas such as Anand Vihar, Jahangirpuri, Rohini, Wazirpur, Akshardham and Ashok Vihar recorded AQI readings well above 430, indicating hazardous conditions for prolonged outdoor exposure. Central and northern parts of the city remained particularly affected, with pollution hotspots emerging near high-traffic zones and industrial clusters.

Meanwhile, other areas including Chandni Chowk, Punjabi Bagh, Patparganj, Dwarka Sector 8 and ITO hovered around the severe range, highlighting how widespread the pollution issue has become. Even regions that typically perform better on air quality indices showed worrying trends.

Air Quality Status Across Delhi-NCR

The pollution crisis extended beyond the capital into nearby cities of the Delhi-NCR region. Noida and Greater Noida reported very poor air quality, while Gurugram and Ghaziabad followed closely behind with similarly hazardous readings. Faridabad and Muzaffarnagar registered poor air quality, offering little relief to residents commuting between cities.

This regional spread suggests that unfavorable weather patterns and emissions from multiple sources, including vehicular traffic, construction dust and agricultural residue burning, continue to influence air quality across northern India.

Visibility Impact Due to Dense Fog

Dense to very dense fog played a significant role in worsening the situation. Morning visibility dropped to around 350 metres in many parts of the region, affecting road traffic, rail services and flight schedules. Reduced dispersion of pollutants during foggy conditions allows particulate matter to accumulate, leading to sharp spikes in pollution levels during night and early morning hours.

Weather forecasts indicate that fog conditions are likely to persist across Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and western Uttar Pradesh until the end of December, with eastern Uttar Pradesh experiencing similar conditions into early January. Gradual improvement is expected only after this period.

Areas With Very Poor and Poor Air Quality

Several residential and institutional zones recorded very poor to poor air quality levels. Locations such as IIT Delhi, IGI Airport Terminal 3, Lodhi Road, Mandir Marg, Najafgarh, Burari Crossing, RK Puram and Okhla Phase 2 remained under heavy pollution stress. Even prominent public spaces and stadium areas showed elevated AQI readings, underlining the scale of the crisis.

Although a few pockets reported comparatively lower AQI values, the overall trend remained unfavorable for outdoor activities, especially for children, elderly individuals and those with respiratory conditions.

Weather Outlook for the Coming Days

Weather conditions are expected to remain relatively stable in the short term. Minimum temperatures are likely to stay near seasonal averages for the next few days, with a slight rise anticipated after the start of the new year. Daytime temperatures are forecast to remain above normal, providing mild winter afternoons.

Light rainfall is predicted around January 1, which could offer temporary relief by washing away some pollutants from the atmosphere. However, experts caution that any improvement may be short-lived unless sustained meteorological changes occur.

On the previous day, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 8.3 degrees Celsius, slightly above normal, while the maximum temperature reached 20.3 degrees Celsius, contributing to stagnant air conditions.

Health Advisory and Public Caution

Residents are advised to limit outdoor exposure, especially during early morning and late evening hours. Using protective masks, avoiding strenuous outdoor exercise and monitoring local air quality updates can help reduce health risks during this period of severe pollution.