New Delhi: Delhi saw a sharp deterioration in air quality on Sunday as heavy smog and dense fog enveloped the city, driving pollution levels to the brink of the “severe” category and renewing health concerns across the capital.
Data from the Air Quality Early Warning System, run by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, showed that the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) rose steadily through Saturday night, reaching 410 by around 11 pm — a level classified as “severe.” Although there was a slight dip by early morning, pollution remained dangerously high, with the AQI hovering at 396 around 6.30 am.
Several neighbourhoods recorded extremely poor conditions, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s monitoring network. Areas such as Chandni Chowk, Wazirpur, Rohini, Jahangirpuri, Anand Vihar and Mundka reported AQI readings well above 430 during the early hours, firmly placing them in the severe pollution bracket.
The worsening air quality coincided with harsh winter weather. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of dense to very dense fog across much of north India, significantly reducing visibility and compounding the impact of pollution. Orange alerts were issued for Delhi and adjoining regions of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Chandigarh, cautioning of possible disruptions to road, rail and air travel.
Meteorologists also described Sunday as a “cold day” in the capital, with daytime temperatures struggling to climb. The maximum temperature remained close to 17 degrees Celsius, while the minimum dropped to around 8 degrees, adding to the discomfort caused by persistent haze and limited sunlight.
Experts attributed the spike in pollution to unfavourable weather conditions, including low wind speeds and temperature inversion, which prevent pollutants from dispersing and keep them trapped near the surface.
With winter conditions intensifying, Delhi continues to face repeated episodes of hazardous air quality, highlighting ongoing challenges in tackling pollution and protecting public health, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and those with respiratory illnesses.
