Delhi woke to biting cold and choking air on Sunday as the national capital recorded its lowest minimum temperature of the season along with air quality that slipped into the ‘severe’ category in several locations. With temperatures dropping and pollution levels climbing, residents are bracing for a challenging week ahead marked by harsh winter conditions and hazardous air.

On Saturday, the minimum temperature in Delhi dipped to 9.7 degrees Celsius — 3.8 degrees below the seasonal average — marking the first instance this year of temperatures falling below 10 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature also remained subdued at 26.6 degrees Celsius, nearly two degrees below normal. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this cooling trend is expected to continue over the next several days. For Sunday, the IMD forecast a minimum temperature between 9–11 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 24–26 degrees Celsius, accompanied by a “mainly clear sky with mist” and “shallow fog” in the early morning hours.

Winter conditions are likely to intensify as the week progresses. The IMD has predicted that Delhi’s minimum temperatures will fluctuate between 8 and 12 degrees Celsius over the next five days, with maximum temperatures hovering between 23 and 27 degrees Celsius. The combination of falling temperatures, calm winds, and fog formation is expected to further trap pollutants near the surface, worsening air quality.

Air pollution levels remained a major concern for residents as Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 385 at 8 am on Sunday, placing it firmly in the ‘very poor’ category. However, in several parts of the city, pollution reached alarming levels. Anand Vihar reported an AQI of 412, Chandni Chowk 418, ITO 417, and Bawana 436 — all classified as ‘severe’. In these conditions, the air becomes hazardous, especially for sensitive groups, and prolonged exposure can cause serious respiratory and cardiovascular issues.

The situation on Saturday was similar, with the city’s overall AQI standing at 386, reflecting ‘very poor’ air quality. Friday also saw pollution levels in the same range, marking a slight improvement from earlier in the week when the air consistently fell into the ‘severe’ category. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Delhi recorded AQI levels of 428, 418, and 404 respectively, indicating extremely degraded air quality that severely impacts daily life and public health.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) categorizes AQI readings between 0 and 50 as ‘good’, 51–100 as ‘satisfactory’, 101–200 as ‘moderate’, 201–300 as ‘poor’, 301–400 as ‘very poor’, and anything between 401 and 500 as ‘severe’. Pollution in the ‘severe’ category can trigger respiratory illnesses even among healthy individuals and poses heightened risks for children, the elderly, and people with existing heart or lung conditions.

As winter deepens and pollution episodes become more frequent, Delhi’s residents face a dual challenge: navigating colder temperatures while protecting themselves from the city’s toxic air. Health experts recommend minimizing outdoor exposure during peak pollution hours, using high-quality face masks, and avoiding strenuous physical activities outdoors. The coming days are expected to test the city’s resilience as both weather and air quality trends point toward continued strain.