Is Delhi's Air Quality Still in the 'Very Poor' Category Amidst Cold Wave Conditions?
Synopsis
Delhi is experiencing serious air quality issues as it remains in the 'very poor' category with an AQI of 358. Meanwhile, a cold wave continues to grip the city, with temperatures dropping to 5.4 degrees Celsius. What does this mean for residents and the city?
Key Takeaways
Delhi's AQI remains critically high at 358.
Severe cold wave conditions are affecting the city.
Minimum temperatures have dropped to 5.4 degrees Celsius.
The IMD has issued alerts for fog and cold conditions.
Residents are advised to take precautions against air pollution.
New Delhi, Jan 10 (NationPress) The air quality in Delhi has persisted in the 'very poor' category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 358 at 6:05 a.m. on Saturday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) Sameer app. The national capital continues to endure severe cold wave conditions, as the minimum temperature has fallen to 5.4 degrees Celsius.
On Friday morning, the AQI was recorded at 318, also categorized as 'very poor'. Delhi has been grappling with declining air quality in recent days, with multiple areas reporting AQI levels ranging from 'very poor' to 'severe', as indicated by CPCB data.
Regions that noted 'severe' air quality include Nehru Nagar with an AQI of 426, Anand Vihar at 422, Vivek Vihar at 408, and Sirifort at 404. Other areas categorized as 'very poor' included Patparganj (400), Dwarka Sector-8 (399), Okhla Phase-2 (398), JLN Stadium (394), RK Puram and Chandni Chowk (390), Rohini (372), Punjabi Bagh and Mundka (368), Ashok Vihar (359), Bawana (346), Aya Nagar (344), IGI Airport Terminal-3 (325), and Alipur (302).
Meanwhile, Burari Crossing recorded an AQI of 300 and Pusa IMD logged 290, both falling under the 'poor' category.
According to CPCB standards, an AQI from 0 to 50 is deemed 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor', and 401 to 500 'severe'.
In conjunction with the poor air quality, cold wave conditions continue to grip the city. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the minimum temperature dropped to 5.4 degrees Celsius at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday. A cold wave is declared in the plains when the minimum temperature dips to 10 degrees Celsius or below and is at least 4.5 degrees Celsius below normal.
Earlier, the city recorded its lowest minimum temperature of the year thus far, and the third lowest of the season, at 5.8 degrees Celsius on Thursday morning. The IMD forecasts that cold conditions are likely to intensify across North India until January 15. A yellow alert has been issued for light to dense fog during morning hours, with partly cloudy skies and foggy weather expected to persist until January 13. The maximum temperature in Delhi is also predicted to drop to around 15 degrees Celsius in the upcoming days.
Point of View
It is crucial to highlight the ongoing environmental challenges facing Delhi. The persistent 'very poor' air quality and severe cold wave conditions not only impact public health but also raise questions about urban planning and environmental policies. The government must prioritize immediate action to safeguard the well-being of its citizens.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current AQI in Delhi?
The current AQI in Delhi is recorded at 358 , categorizing it as 'very poor'.
What are the effects of cold wave conditions?
Cold wave conditions can lead to hypothermia, respiratory problems, and increased mortality rates, particularly among vulnerable populations.
What measures can residents take to protect themselves?
Residents should limit outdoor activities, use air purifiers indoors, and wear masks when going outside to reduce exposure to pollutants.
When are cold conditions expected to improve?
The IMD predicts that cold conditions will intensify until January 15 , with potential improvements afterward.
What alert has been issued for fog conditions?
A yellow alert has been issued for light to dense fog during morning hours, expected to last until January 13 .
