Biting cold and poor air quality add to Delhi-NCR’s winter woes

Residents of Delhi, Noida and Greater Noida woke up to another harsh winter morning on Wednesday as biting cold winds and poor air quality combined to make conditions increasingly uncomfortable across the National Capital Region.

The twin impact of low temperatures and high pollution has triggered health concerns, particularly for children, senior citizens and people with breathing problems.

AQI slips into ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ category across NCR

At 7 a.m., Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 302, placing it firmly in the “poor” category, with several pockets crossing the 350 mark and entering the “very poor” zone.

In Noida, Sector 116 recorded an AQI of 327, Sector 125 registered 312, Sector 1 reported 315, and Sector 62 stood at 274. In Greater Noida, Knowledge Park 5 touched 328, while Knowledge Park 3 registered 296.

Data from Tuesday evening showed Delhi’s AQI at 310, with dozens of monitoring stations reporting very poor readings. Experts warn that such pollution levels may aggravate respiratory issues and eye irritation.

Cold day conditions continue; dense fog disrupts travel

Delhi also recorded its first cold day of the year on Tuesday, as daytime temperatures dropped sharply. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), maximum temperatures across the region settled between 13°C and 16°C, significantly below normal for this time of year.

Dense fog was reported across several parts of the country early Wednesday, causing flight delays at multiple airports. Although the impact in Delhi-NCR remained limited, weather scientists noted that fog tends to trap pollutants close to the ground, worsening air quality and prolonging exposure.

Health advisory issued for vulnerable groups

Authorities and health experts have advised residents, especially children, elderly people, and those with asthma or lung disease to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure and use masks when stepping outside.