New Delhi: A dense blanket of toxic smog enveloped the national capital on Thursday, sharply reducing visibility across several areas, including ITO. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the area touched 402, placing it in the ‘severe’ category. Dense fog has led to delays in a few flights at IGI Airport in Delhi. In response to the worsening air quality, authorities have reimposed Stage III restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR to curb further pollution.
#WATCH | Delhi: Cold wave grips the national capital.
(Visuals from Anand Vihar Railway Station) pic.twitter.com/DPJvusgiuV
— ANI (@ANI) January 17, 2026
Temperature trends indicate a gradual rise in minimum temperatures by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius over the next five days. As a result, minimum temperatures are likely to remain within the normal range—between 1.5 degrees below and 1.5 degrees above normal—over the next 48 hours, as well as on January 21 and 22. However, on January 19 and 20, minimum temperatures are expected to remain above normal by 1.6 to 3 degrees Celsius.
Maximum temperatures are also forecast to stay higher than usual, remaining above normal by 1.6 to 3 degrees Celsius over the next five days, before settling back to near-normal levels thereafter.
On January 17, moderate fog is forecast at many places, with dense fog likely at isolated locations, IMD said on Friday evening. Shallow to moderate fog is also expected during morning hours in the days that follow, potentially impacting visibility and travel.
#WATCH | Delhi | As cold waves grip the national capital, few flights are delayed at IGI Airport due to fog.
(Visuals from Indira Gandhi International Airport) pic.twitter.com/E4HiQjMerm
— ANI (@ANI) January 17, 2026
Weather conditions are expected to continue contributing to poor air quality over the coming days.