Delhi wakes up to biting cold and 'very poor' air quality, overall AQI at 357

Delhi’s aerial prime continued to stay a superior interest connected Wednesday (January 14, 2026) morning, with the wide Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded astatine 357 astatine 7 a.m., falling successful the ‘very poor’ category, according to information from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This marks a further deterioration compared to Tuesday (January 13, 2026), erstwhile the city’s AQI stood astatine 337.

Several areas crossed the nationalist superior reported AQI levels good supra 300, indicating persistently hazardous conditions for nationalist health. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 366 astatine 7 am, portion Bawana stood astatine 361. Jahangirpuri witnessed peculiarly alarming levels, with the AQI touching 420, placing it successful the ‘severe’ category. RK Puram recorded an AQI of 407, Dwarka Sector 8 astatine 403, Punjabi Bagh astatine 366, Wazirpur astatine 386, and Chandni Chowk astatine 397, according to CPCB data.

As per AQI classification, a speechmaking betwixt 0 and 50 is ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’ and 401 to 500 ‘severe’.

Furthermore, arsenic per aerial prime information disposable astatine 7 a.m., Ahmedabad recorded an AQI of 139, portion Bengaluru stood astatine 88. Chennai’s AQI was recorded astatine 108, and Hyderabad reported a comparatively amended aerial prime with an AQI of 81. Jaipur registered an AQI of 211, placing it successful the ‘poor’ category, portion Lucknow recorded 193. Mumbai’s AQI stood astatine 118, Patna astatine 136, and Pune astatine 149, indicating ‘moderate’ aerial prime levels successful these cities.

In summation to deteriorating aerial quality, Delhi is experiencing an aggravated acold wave. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), aboriginal greeting temperatures successful the metropolis dropped to astir 3-4 degrees Celsius. According to the IMD forecast, akin acold conditions are apt to persist passim the day.

A time earlier, Delhi woke up to a chilly morning, with temperatures dropping to astir 4 degrees Celsius. Cold question conditions, accompanied by dense fog successful respective parts of the city, continued to disrupt mean life, affecting visibility and adding to travel-related challenges.

Meanwhile, rehearsals for the 77th Republic Day parade are presently underway astatine Kartavya Path.