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Delhi Faces Severe Smog and Cold Wave Conditions

Gyanhigyan english | December 6, 2025 4:40 PM CST

New Delhi, Dec 6: A dense layer of smog enveloped the national capital on Saturday, causing the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) to reach 333, categorizing it firmly in the 'very poor' range, which is a slight increase from the previous day. This decline in air quality coincided with a significant drop in temperatures, exacerbating the winter chill across the city.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a cold wave warning for December 6, indicating that minimum temperatures are expected to remain around 8–9 degrees Celsius until December 10, accompanied by shallow fog. The IMD noted that Friday recorded the coldest December morning of the season, with temperatures plummeting to 5.6 degrees Celsius, nearly four degrees below the seasonal average.

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at 7 am indicated that Mundka experienced the worst air quality, with an AQI of 381. Out of 39 monitoring stations in Delhi, 35 reported 'very poor' air quality, while four stations recorded 'poor' levels. The Indira Gandhi International Airport noted an AQI of 263.

Monitoring stations with 'very poor' air quality included RK Puram (364), Punjabi Bagh (348), Chandni Chowk (348), Rohini (374), Vivek Vihar (309), Bawana (375), Siri Fort (343), Wazirpur (359), Anand Vihar (366), Ashok Vihar (348), and Sonia Vihar (352).

Locations with 'poor' air quality were NSIT Dwarka (260), Mandir Marg (256), IGI Airport (263), and Aya Nagar (289).

According to CPCB classifications, an AQI of 0–50 is deemed 'good', 51–100 'satisfactory', 101–200 'moderate', 201–300 'poor', 301–400 'very poor', and 401–500 'severe'.

Delhi's air quality has shown considerable fluctuations throughout the week. The AQI was recorded at 279 on Sunday, increased to 304 on Monday, and surged to 372 on Tuesday, approaching the 'severe' category. It decreased to 342 on Wednesday, remained in the 'very poor' range at 304 on Thursday, and slightly improved to 327 on Friday.

Humidity levels reached 100 percent on Friday morning before dropping to 68 percent by the evening. The IMD has forecasted that shallow fog will continue, with Saturday's temperatures expected to range between 8 degrees Celsius and 23 degrees Celsius.