The Delhi-National Capital Region faced a severe dual challenge from intense cold wave conditions and suffocating air pollution, with the air quality index remaining perilously close to the "severe" threshold on Sunday, while thick fog severely hampered visibility and daily activities throughout northern India.
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board indicated that Delhi's overall Air Quality Index was recorded at 390 in the morning, showing a slight improvement from the previous day's 398, yet it continued to fall solidly within the "very poor" category, with the risk of escalating to severe at any moment.
Certain monitoring stations reported significantly higher and more alarming levels. Chandni Chowk stood out as one of the worst-affected areas with an AQI of 455, closely followed by Wazirpur at 449, Bawana at 446, Rohini at 444, and Anand Vihar at 438.
In neighbouring cities, air quality conditions were equally concerning. Gurugram registered an AQI of 354, Noida 352, and Ghaziabad 334, all classified as very poor. Faridabad performed marginally better, yet still recorded a poor AQI of 283.
This surge in pollution levels occurred alongside the onset of the season's first cold wave in the capital. On Saturday, Delhi experienced its lowest maximum temperature for December so far, dropping to 16.9 degrees Celsius, which was 5 degrees below the seasonal normal. Persistent thick cloud cover combined with a lingering grey haze obscured the sunlight for most of the day.
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The adverse weather extended its impact to aviation as well. According to news agencies, citing an official, that at least 129 flights were cancelled at Delhi's airport on Saturday owing to dense fog. However, Delhi Airport stated in an update on X that flight operations were proceeding smoothly on Sunday.
The India Meteorological Department forecasted dense to very dense fog during the night and early morning hours on Sunday and issued an orange alert for the capital. It anticipated maximum and minimum temperatures to remain around 23 degrees Celsius and 9 degrees Celsius, respectively.
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The IMD also issued warnings about lowered visibility in adjacent states such as Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana until Sunday morning, with isolated pockets of fog likely in Punjab and Haryana from December 25 to 27, and in west Uttar Pradesh on December 26 and 27.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa highlighted concerns that an approaching western disturbance could exacerbate both weather patterns and pollution. In a video message, Sirsa emphasised strict enforcement against polluting industries and any breaches of the current construction ban, noting that authorities had fielded complaints regarding ongoing construction despite the prohibitions.
Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan remained enforced since December 13, imposing a complete prohibition on construction and demolition activities, restrictions on open burning, limitations on entry of non-BS VI vehicles into the city, refusal of fuel to vehicles lacking valid pollution under control certificates, and a requirement for 50 per cent of staff in government and private offices to work from home.
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