Delhi Chills Under ‘Cold Day’ Alert: AQI Slips to ‘Very Poor’
On January 7, 2026, Delhi residents woke up to a double weather whammy: a return to “Very Poor” air quality and an official Yellow Alert for a “Cold Day.” The maximum temperature plummeted significantly below the seasonal average, making the chill more pronounced despite a slight rise in morning minimums.
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1. Air Quality Update: Nehru Nagar Worst Hit
After a brief respite earlier in the week, Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) surged back to 336, landing firmly in the ‘Very Poor’ category.
Most Polluted Station: Nehru Nagar (360) recorded the highest levels.
Station Breakdown: 21 stations logged ‘Very Poor’ air, 14 were ‘Poor’, and only 2 managed ‘Moderate’ levels.
Pollutant Health Risk: Health experts warn that prolonged exposure at these levels can cause respiratory issues for healthy individuals and serious effects for those with existing conditions.
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2. Temperature & ‘Cold Day’ Forecast
The IMD has confirmed that Delhi is experiencing its first major cold spell of 2026. A “Cold Day” is declared when the maximum temperature is $4.5$ to $6.4$ degrees Celsius below normal.
| Metric | Recorded Value (Jan 7) | Comparison to Normal |
| Max Temperature | 15.0°C (Expected) | ~5.0°C Below Normal |
| Min Temperature | 8.6°C | 1.7°C Above Normal |
| Humidity | 95% | Exceptionally High |
Regional Lows (Minimums):
Palam: 7.1°C
Ridge: 7.5°C
Lodhi Road: 7.7°C
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3. Dense Fog & Travel Advisory
The Yellow Alert remains in place due to dense fog, which has significantly reduced visibility and impacted transit.
Visibility: Dropped to as low as 250m–300m in Safdarjung and Palam during early hours.
Airline Advisory: Air India and IndiGo have issued advisories warning of potential “cascading impacts” on flight schedules. Passengers are urged to check flight status before heading to the airport.
Surface Winds: Blowing from the West-Southwest at a slow 5–10 kmph, which is preventing the dispersion of smog and pollutants.
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