Delhi is literally disappearing into a grey wall this morning, Saturday, January 17, 2026. If you looked out your window at 7:30 am, you probably saw… nothing. The fog is so thick you could almost lean against it.
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The thing is, visibility at Safdarjung crashed to just 200m earlier today. Or nothing. Let’s be real, the flight schedule is a total mess. More than 170 flights are already delayed at the IGI Airport. Those too. If you’re heading to the airport, don’t. Check your phone first—airlines are begging people to verify their status before leaving home.
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The “Winter Siege” Log: Field Notes
It’s an ongoing situation where the cold is biting, but the air is what’s really killing the vibe.
The Temperature “Tease”: The minimum temperature hit 4.4°C today, which is over 3 degrees below normal. The thing is, while it’s a tiny bit “warmer” than yesterday’s 4.3°C, the humidity makes it feel like ice.
The Toxic Mix: It’s not just water vapor; it’s smog. The AQI hit 376 this morning, which is “Very Poor,” but the forecast says we’re heading straight for “Severe” (400+) by tonight. And here’s the kicker—GRAP-III restrictions are officially back. No construction, no BS-III petrol cars, no BS-IV diesel cars. Those too.
School Chaos: Noida and Greater Noida have already shut schools up to Class 8 until today, Jan 17. The thing is, in Delhi, most schools were supposed to reopen after the Jan 15 break, but with the new GRAP-III rules, classes up to Class 5 are shifting back to hybrid or online mode.
The “Easterly” Hope: The IMD says warm easterly winds are moving in. The thing is, this might push the temperature up to 9°C by tomorrow. Or it might just trap the pollution even more.
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Delhi Winter Dashboard: Jan 17, 2026
| Metric | Current Status | The Ground Reality |
| Visibility | 200m (Safdarjung) | 170+ flights delayed; trains running 3–5 hours late. |
| Minimum Temp | 4.4°C | 3.2°C below normal. “Yellow Alert” active. |
| Air Quality (AQI) | 376 (Very Poor) | Severe expected by evening. GRAP-III in force. |
| School Status | Hybrid / Closed | Noida shut (up to Class 8); Delhi Hybrid (up to Class 5). |
And Here’s the Kicker…
The CAQM (the pollution bosses) activated GRAP-III because they saw the “Severe” trend coming. The thing is, they aren’t waiting for the average to hit 400 anymore—they’re trying to stop it before it gets there. Those too. If you’re driving, keep your fog lights on and your speed down.
It’s an ongoing situation where the “winter break” for many is being unofficially extended because half the city is stuck in a cloud. The thing is, Delhi winters aren’t a season anymore; they’re an endurance test.
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End…
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