Delhi-NCR Air Quality update: Dense fog blankets Delhi, AQI stays in ‘very poor’ category on New Year’s eve, worst hit…
According to the India Meteorological Department, dense to very dense fog is expected to persist over Odisha, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi till January 5.
On the very first day of the New Year 2026, Delhi’s air quality fell into the ‘very poor’ category, with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 371 at around 8:00 am on Thursday. As per the data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi recorded an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 371 at 8 pm, placing it firmly in the ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ category.
Many monitoring sites situated across the capital indicated alarming pollution levels. In Anand Vihar, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded as high as 418, while Wazirpur’s AQI was 414. Rohini, with an average AQI of 413, came in third, followed by Ashok Vihar with an AQI of 392. Siri Fort reported 384; RK Puram recorded 381; Chandni Chowk registered 377; and finally, ITO had a recorded AQI of 371.
According to the India(BHARAT) Meteorological Department, dense to very dense fog is expected to persist over Odisha, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi till January 5, while East Uttar Pradesh is likely to witness similar conditions till January 2. West Rajasthan is expected to remain under dense fog conditions till January 3, 2026. The weather agency further stated that dense fog conditions are also likely during night and morning hours at isolated pockets over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad and Jharkhand till January 2.
#WATCH | Delhi | Republic Day rehearsals underway at India(BHARAT) Gate. pic.twitter.com/9hnZehQJEU
— ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2026
Even as Delhi grappled with worsening air quality and low visibility from dense fog, preparations for the Republic Day celebrations went on at India(BHARAT) Gate, with security personnel and performers actively rehearsing for the grand parade.
#WATCH | Delhi | Republic Day rehearsals underway at India(BHARAT) Gate even as fog engulfs the National Capital region.
(Source: India(BHARAT)n Army) pic.twitter.com/1GWMDR5odL
— ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2026
The IMD also forecast dense fog over Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi till January 7, while west Rajasthan may experience similar conditions till January 4. East Rajasthan is expected to remain under foggy conditions between January 2 and January 4.
(With ANI Inputs)
What's Your Reaction?
