The Aryavarth Express
New Delhi woke up to heavy smog and dense fog on Friday, sharply reducing visibility across large parts of the capital. The poor conditions persisted even as Republic Day rehearsals continued at India Gate, with participants carrying on amid the haze.
Early morning drone visuals from Sarai Kale Khan around 7:15 am showed extremely low visibility, while ground reports from areas such as AIIMS, Akshardham Temple and other localities revealed roads, buildings and vehicles engulfed in fog and smog. Cold wave conditions further worsened the situation, affecting routine morning movement in several areas.
On the second day of the New Year 2026, Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 348 around 8:00 am, placing it close to the ‘severe’ range.
Multiple monitoring stations across the city reported high pollution levels. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 348, R.K. Puram 319, Rohini 315 and Mundka 324. Chandni Chowk logged 340, while ITO stood at 292. Bawana and IGI Airport reported AQI readings of 227 and 219 respectively, indicating widespread poor to very poor air quality.
Despite the adverse conditions, Republic Day preparations at India Gate continued. A thick layer of smog reduced visibility, but security personnel and parade contingents were seen proceeding with rehearsals.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the temperature in Delhi hovered around 11°C on Friday morning, with very dense fog observed during early hours. The foggy conditions are expected to linger through the day, though a gradual improvement in weather is likely from Saturday.
According to IMD forecasts, the capital’s maximum temperature on Friday is expected to range between 15°C and 17°C, while the minimum may stay between 9°C and 11°C. Minimum temperatures are likely to remain above normal, whereas maximum temperatures are expected to be noticeably lower than usual.
