Air Quality Remains in ‘Very Poor’ Category Across City

New Delhi, December 19 2025: the air quality in Delhi was extremely polluted on Friday, because a thick layer fog and smog surrounded Delhi, the capital of India. This pushed its Air Quality Index (AQI) completely into the “very poor” category in the vast majority of stations for monitoring. The data obtained from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed that the levels of pollution exceeded safe limits which raised health risks for the city’s residents and requiring authorities to be on alertness.

According to CPCB’s SAMEER air quality monitoring software The 24-hour average AQI in Delhi was within the upper part between “very inadequate,” with several locations close to that “severe” limit. Fine particulate matter, specifically PM2.5, remained the predominant pollutant, way above the acceptable standards.

Thick Smog and Fog Reduce Visibility in Morning Hours

A thick smog blanket and thick fog was visible throughout the city in the morning rush hour. It was a stark contrast to the sun, decreasing visibility on roads and highways. Many areas of central east, south and central Delhi have reported that visibility levels dropped to a few hundred meters which disrupted daily commutes and slowing traffic flow in peak times.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow warning for dense fog, warning residents of the possibility of reduced visibility. Weather officials said that low humidity and calm winds levels contributed to the build-up of pollutants close to the surface, which prevented dispersal and degrading air quality.

NCR Cities Also Witness Sharp Rise in Pollution Levels

Nearby cities within cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) have also reported alarming levels of pollution. Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad have reported readings of AQI ranging from extremely poor to extreme at a variety of monitoring stations. Certain areas, like Noida Sector 1, Ghaziabad’s Vasundhara and a portion of Gurugram were found to have AQI readings that were near or exceeding the extreme mark.

Environmental experts said that the consistent decline across NCR suggested a regional pollution event, not a specific city increase, caused by adverse weather conditions and persistent emissions sources.

Weather Conditions Trap Pollutants Near Ground Level

The weather played a major part in causing the pollution event. The low speeds of wind, the shallow layer of mixing, as well as a dramatic decrease in temperatures at night created conditions for the accumulation of pollutants near the surface.

IMD officials said that the absence of powerful rain or winds impeded the dispersal of particles as well as the increased humidity allowed for the creation of dense cloud of smog. The forecasts suggested that similar conditions are likely to persist in the coming days, which could put the air quality in a state of stress.

Impact on Transport and Aviation Services

The thick cloud and the thick smog had an impact on transportation services in the region. A reduced visibility caused slower travel along major highways, flyovers and expressways. Traffic officers reminding motorists to drive with caution and keep the appropriate distances.

In the Indira Gandhi International Airport a number of flights were cancelled in breakfast hours in the beginning of morning due to low visibility conditions. Airlines issued warnings to passengers to verify flight status prior to boarding the plane. Even with advanced landing systems being in operation, the fog that caused disruptions were unavoidable.

Health Concerns Rise Amid Prolonged Exposure

Health experts have warned that prolonged exposure to air with poor quality can worsen heart and respiratory ailments. Clinics and hospitals all over Delhi noticed an increasing number of patients complaining of breathing issues and throat infections, irritations to the eyes and a worsening of asthma symptoms.

Doctors urged those in vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities, children and those with existing heart or lung conditions to avoid physical activity in the outdoors. Public health officials stressed the necessity of wearing protective masks and making use of indoor air purifiers whenever feasible.

Government Measures and Pollution Control Actions

Authorities continued to enforce actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to reduce pollution levels. Limits on construction and dust control measures as well as restrictions on the usage of diesel generators remained in effect in regions in which AQI exceeded thresholds for critical levels.

The Delhi government has also reiterated its plans of installing air purifiers in schools of the government to safeguard students during high-pollution times. Officials said enforcement teams were keeping track of the compliance with pollution control guidelines throughout the city.

Role of Emission Sources in Winter Smog

Environmental experts have identified several emission sources causing Delhi’s wintertime pollution. Vehicle emissions, industrial output dust from construction, burning of waste within the city were major factors in the pollution of particulate matter.

Furthermore, smoke from burning agricultural stubble in neighboring states continued to increase the amount of pollution within the area. Wind patterns that are seasonal often transport contaminants from the surrounding regions into the Delhi air basin, increasing the severity of smog in winter.

Public Advisory Issued Amid Persisting Conditions

Authorities issued warnings to people to avoid exposure outdoors particularly in the early morning and evening hours when the pollution levels are at their highest. Offices and schools were advised to be alert for specific instructions in the event of conditions becoming more severe.

Traffic police and municipal agencies advised commuters to adhere to safety instructions, utilize headlights during fog and avoid unnecessary travel during times of very low visibility.

Monitoring Continues as Pollution Levels Fluctuate

CPCB and the state agency for pollution control continued in real-time monitoring of the quality of air all over Delhi as well as the NCR. The officials warned that any further degradation could lead to tighter restrictions under GRAP based on AQI changes and forecasts for meteorological conditions.

Experts in air quality have indicated that an improvement of significant magnitude could be a result of the weather’s conditions changing which include greater precipitation or winds that could aid in dispersing the pollutants that have been accumulated.