Overview
- Delhi logged an AQI of 418 on Monday morning after a 4 pm reading of 440 on Sunday, the worst January day in two years, with hotspots such as Anand Vihar nearing 500.
- Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan has been enforced across NCR, halting most construction, curbing entry of higher-emitting trucks, and shifting lower classes to hybrid learning.
- Dense fog cut visibility across the city and delayed flights at IGI Airport, with reports citing more than 500 delays on Sunday.
- Scientists pointed to calm surface winds, dense fog and a western disturbance that trapped emissions, while IITM’s DSS identified transport as the leading PM2.5 source and nearby districts like Baghpat and Ghaziabad as major external contributors.
- Air quality is expected to ease slightly into the very poor range through midweek, and IMD signals possible rain from successive western disturbances around January 22–24 that could bring temporary dispersion.