New Delhi, January 18, 2026: Delhi woke up to dense fog and ‘severe’ air quality on Sunday, as a biting cold wave gripped the national capital. Visibility dropped sharply across multiple areas, prompting authorities to issue advisories for commuters and motorists.

Air Quality Plunges to ‘Severe’

The Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 440 at 8 am, firmly placing Delhi in the ‘severe’ category. In response, authorities implemented Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the toughest anti-pollution measures under the city’s protocol. These restrictions, which came into effect from Saturday, aim to reduce vehicular and construction emissions during the high-smog period.

Cold Wave Conditions

The capital’s minimum temperature was recorded at 5°C, while the maximum reached 22°C. Safdarjung emerged as the coldest locality at 5.3°C, followed by Palam at 8°C. Lodi Road saw 6.8°C, while the Ridge and Ayanagar recorded 7.2°C. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for Delhi on Sunday, warning citizens of continued cold conditions.

Visibility Plummets Across Delhi and North India

The dense fog caused drastic reductions in visibility, affecting travel and daily activities:

• Safdarjung: zero visibility
• Palam: 100 metres
• Lodi Road: very low visibility reported
• Ridge & Ayanagar: 7.2°C with foggy conditions

Other cities in north India experienced similar conditions:

• Bareilly, Lucknow, and Kushinagar reported zero visibility
• Amritsar and Gorakhpur: 100 metres
• Prayagraj: 200 metres

The IMD warned of continued dense fog in the morning, urging motorists to drive cautiously and avoid unnecessary travel.

GRAP Stage IV Restrictions

With pollution at hazardous levels, Stage IV of GRAP imposes strict controls to reduce emissions and protect public health:

• Entry of BS-IV trucks into Delhi is prohibited.
• Construction and demolition work across the city is banned.
• Schools up to Class 10 have been instructed to shift to hybrid or online learning, while Classes 10 and 12 continue in-person lessons.

Authorities also advised residents to minimize outdoor activities, particularly children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues.

Aviation and Travel Impact

The dense fog disrupted air travel, prompting advisories from major airlines.

• IndiGo cautioned passengers about potential delays at Delhi and Hindon airports due to low visibility.
• Air India warned of delays and operational disruptions across north India, emphasizing that dense fog could affect schedules.

Despite the warnings, Delhi airport reported normal flight operations as of 8 am, although passengers were advised to monitor updates closely.

Health Concerns

Experts have warned that prolonged exposure to severe pollution combined with cold weather could lead to respiratory issues, throat irritation, and eye problems. People were advised to wear masks outdoors, use air purifiers at home, and stay hydrated.

The combination of extreme cold, dense fog, and hazardous air quality has created a challenging environment for Delhi residents, with officials emphasizing compliance with GRAP restrictions and caution on roads.

This weather episode continues a pattern of winter pollution spikes in the capital, exacerbated by crop stubble burning in neighbouring states, vehicular emissions, and low wind speeds that trap smog in the city.