Delhi Shivers Under Cold Wave as Air Quality Improves; IGI Airport Issues Fog Advisory

New Delhi | 11 January 2026 Delhi woke up to a biting cold on Sunday as cold wave conditions tightened their grip over the national capital. The minimum temperature dipped to 4.8 degrees Celsius at Safdarjung, while several parts of the city experienced moderate fog and reduced visibility. Despite the chill, Delhi’s air quality showed signs of improvement, slipping into the ‘poor’ category after days of severe pollution. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), some areas were colder than the city average. Ayanagar recorded the lowest temperature at 2.9 degrees Celsius, followed by Palam at 3 degrees and the Ridge at 3.7 degrees. A thin layer of smog lingered across multiple localities, prompting the IMD to declare cold wave conditions at isolated places. Skies are expected to remain mostly clear, though fog may persist during morning hours. On the pollution front, Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 290 by mid-morning, an improvement from Saturday when it touched 346, falling in the ‘very poor’ range. However, pollution hotspots continued to raise concern, with Nehru Nagar recording an AQI of 348, followed by Anand Vihar, Jahangirpuri, and Pusa, all hovering well above safe limits. Amid foggy conditions, the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport issued an advisory for passengers. Authorities confirmed that Low Visibility Procedures were in place, but flight operations remained normal. Travelers were advised to stay in touch with airlines for real-time updates as cold wave conditions are expected to continue across Delhi-NCR and parts of north India in the coming days. Cold Wave Tightens Grip on Delhi, Air Quality Sees Relief; IGI Airport Alerts Passengers Delhi experienced another freezing morning on Sunday as temperatures dropped sharply and cold wave conditions prevailed across the city. The minimum temperature at Safdarjung fell to 4.8°C, while dense fog and light smog reduced visibility in several areas. Weather officials said the cold spell is likely to continue over the next few days in the capital and surrounding regions. Several localities recorded temperatures lower than the city average, with Ayanagar emerging as the coldest at 2.9°C, followed by Palam and the Ridge area. The India Meteorological Department noted cold wave conditions at isolated locations and predicted clear skies later in the day, though morning fog may persist. Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality showed marginal improvement, moving into the ‘poor’ category on Sunday. The overall Air Quality Index was recorded at 290, offering some relief after Saturday’s ‘very poor’ levels. However, pollution remained high in pockets such as Nehru Nagar, Anand Vihar, Jahangirpuri, and Pusa, where AQI readings crossed 300. In view of foggy conditions, the Indira Gandhi International Airport issued an advisory for travelers. Airport authorities confirmed that low-visibility procedures were in effect, but flight operations continued as scheduled. Passengers were advised to stay updated with their airlines as cold and foggy weather continues to affect the region.