Delhi’s air quality index deteriorated slightly on Sunday, January 4, while remaining in the ‘poor’ category. The AQI recorded around 8:00 am on Sunday was 298 compared to 267 recorded around 4:00 pm on Saturday.
The System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) predicts that Delhi’s AQI is likely to reach close to 390 later in the day, approaching the “severe” category.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered “good”, 51 to 100 as “satisfactory”, 101 to 200 as “moderate”, 201 to 300 as “poor”, 301 to 400 as “very bad” and “4001 to 401 as poor”.
The Air Quality Early Warning System has predicted that the AQI is likely to remain in the “very poor” category from Sunday to January 6, with a similar forecast for the next six days.
Cold wave warning
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast moderate to dense fog in parts of Delhi NCR on Sunday and has issued a yellow alert in most regions.
The IMD also said cold wave conditions are very likely in isolated areas of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi till January 7.
“Light fog at many places with dense fog at isolated places during morning hours,” the IMD said, adding that maximum and minimum temperatures in Delhi are likely to be in the range of 17°C to 19°C and 6°C to 8°C respectively.
“Minimum temperature will be close to normal and maximum temperatures will be over Delhi (0.3°C to 2.3°C),” the IMD said.
Cold waves are also likely to continue over Rajasthan during 5-8 January and over East Rajasthan during 4-8 January 2026.
A cold wave is declared when the minimum temperature drops 4.5 to 6.5 degrees below the seasonal average.
On Saturday, the national capital recorded a minimum temperature of 8.1 degrees Celsius, 1.2 degrees above the season’s average, according to the IMD.
Safdarjung recorded a minimum temperature of 8.1 degrees Celsius; Palam 7.9 degrees Celsius, 0.9 degrees above seasonal average; Lodhi Road 8 degrees Celsius, two degrees above normal; ridge 9 degrees Celsius, 1.3 degrees above normal; and Ayanagar 6.9 degree Celsius, 0.1 degree below normal, IMD data showed.
Meanwhile, Republic Day rehearsals continued at India Gate, with security personnel and parade participants continuing preparations for the upcoming national celebrations. A layer of smog was seen in the area, reducing visibility even as the trials went ahead as planned.
