New Delhi: Delhiites woke up to a thick blanket of smog on Saturday morning, with the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) plunging to 380, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category. Reduced visibility due to dense smog led to delays in flight and train services across the national capital.
According to the data from the Central Pollution Control Board, 16 out of 40 air quality monitoring stations in Delhi recorded ‘severe’ AQI levels early in the morning. Anand Vihar reported an AQI of 428, with PM2.5 identified as the primary pollutant, while Jahangirpuri followed closely with a reading of 425.
#WATCH | Delhi | Visuals around the ITO area as a layer of toxic smog engulfs the national capital. CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) has invoked all actions under GRAP Stage-IV in Delhi-NCR.
AQI (Air Quality Index) around the area is 441, categorised as… pic.twitter.com/PZjSMUYHDx
— ANI (@ANI) December 20, 2025
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast dense to very dense fog in Delhi and several northern states. The Air Quality Early Warning System has warned that Delhi’s air quality may worsen to the ‘severe’ category on Sunday and Monday. An orange alert has been issued for Saturday.