Delhi’s Air Quality Remains ‘Poor’ With AQI At 277 As Thick Smog Blankets The Capital

by | Jan 8, 2026 | Environmental News, Pollution News

Home » Environmental News » Delhi’s Air Quality Remains ‘Poor’ With AQI At 277 As Thick Smog Blankets The Capital

According to the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi’s air quality remains ‘poor’, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 277, as a heavy smog covers the city this Thursday. Residents of the nation’s capital woke up to a combination of cold conditions and smog. Air quality continues to pose a threat to people’s health and affects the city’s visibility, especially for the vulnerable, such as kids, old people, and asthma patients.

Delhi’s Air Quality Remains ‘Poor’

Source: X

Ongoing Smog and Weather Conditions

This morning, Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was about 277, which puts the city in the poor range on the national scale. A thick smog has stayed in place in many places because of low winds and a winter inversion, which keeps pollutants near the ground. The weather has decreased visibility, which makes it harder for people to get to work or do things outside.

The cold weather, combined with heavy smog, worsens air quality, making mornings frosty and keeping the air still so pollution cannot be dispersed. Experts say the weather in Delhi is normal in winter, as air pollution increases.

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Pollution Differences Throughout the City

Even though the city’s average AQI was in the poor range, different areas had different readings. Some places had even higher pollution levels, getting close to or falling into the very poor range. This shows that air quality is harmful to some parts of the capital more than others.

Across Delhi, monitoring stations consistently showed high amounts of particulate matter, specifically PM2.5 and PM10. Government representatives said that pollution levels changed throughout the day but generally remained in the poor to very poor range, indicating the city’s smog problem was ongoing and persistent.

Here are the AQI figures from different places around the city:

Location AQI Category Approx. AQI Value
Overall Delhi Poor 277
Anand Vihar Very Poor 324+
Chandni Chowk Very Poor 320+
IGI Airport Poor ~207
Ashok Nagar Poor ~296

These numbers show the areas with high pollution, as the conditions are worse than the city’s average.

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Future and Community Impact

Weather forecasts say cold and foggy mornings will continue, and Delhi’s pollution levels might not improve. People should wear masks when they go outside, limit travel, and check air quality levels. Delhi’s air quality remains ‘poor’ with an AQI of 277 because of the heavy smog.

Health officials have warned people who are vulnerable, like kids, older people, and those who have trouble breathing, to spend less time outside as pollution increases. Doctors say being in poor air for a long time can make your eyes hurt, worsen asthma symptoms, and make cardiorespiratory problems worse.

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Author

  • Sarah Tancredi is an experienced journalist and news reporter specializing in environmental and climate crisis issues. With a deep passion for the planet and a commitment to raising awareness about pressing environmental challenges, Sarah has dedicated her career to informing the public and promoting sustainable solutions. She strives to inspire individuals, communities, and policymakers to take action to safeguard our planet for future generations.

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