New Delhi: Residents of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) woke up on Monday to a thick layer of fog, reducing visibility across several localities, while air quality continued to hover between moderate and poor levels, according to official data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported moderate fog conditions in many parts of the capital during the early morning hours. Areas such as Dhaula Kuan, Akshardham, Dwarka, and Mother Teresa Crescent Marg were among those affected, with commuters experiencing low visibility as the day began.
Air quality readings recorded around 7 am reflected persistent pollution concerns. Several monitoring stations in Dwarka, including Sectors 3, 6, and 10, registered an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 243, placing them firmly in the ‘poor’ category. Mahipalpur, meanwhile, recorded an AQI of 134, indicating ‘moderate’ air quality, while Mother Teresa Crescent Marg also remained in the moderate range with an AQI reading of 118.
Foggy conditions were not limited to Delhi alone. Parts of the NCR, particularly Ghaziabad, experienced misty weather along with deteriorating air quality. CPCB data showed Ghaziabad recording an AQI of 259 on Monday morning, categorized as ‘poor’.
In contrast, Mumbai witnessed relatively better conditions at daybreak. The CPCB recorded a ‘moderate’ AQI of 126 near the Marine Drive area, where residents were seen continuing their morning walks despite light fog lingering along the coastline.
The IMD has forecast fog or mist during the morning hours for Delhi-NCR, followed by clearer skies later in the day. However, weather conditions across north and central India remain dynamic. According to the IMD, several airports in these regions reported varying intensities of fog ranging from very dense to shallow between 6:00 am and 6:30 am IST, potentially affecting flight operations.
On Sunday, air quality in the national capital had dipped further, entering the ‘very poor’ category. The overall AQI stood at 318 around 8 am, underscoring the continuing pollution challenge despite intermittent weather changes.
The IMD has also issued a yellow alert for Delhi, cautioning residents about the possibility of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30–40 kmph in isolated areas. Similar weather patterns are expected across neighbouring regions, including Haryana and Chandigarh. In Haryana, Karnal reported a hailstorm earlier in the day.
Meteorological officials noted that recent rainfall marks the onset of a more active weather phase. Thunderstorms, lightning, strong winds, and hail are likely to impact several states through the day. Light rain was reported in parts of Delhi and adjoining NCR areas during the early morning hours, offering brief relief but not enough to significantly improve air quality.
As per AQI standards, readings between 0 and 50 are considered ‘good’, 51–100 ‘satisfactory’, 101–200 ‘moderate’, 201–300 ‘poor’, 301–400 ‘very poor’, and 401–500 ‘severe’. With pollution levels remaining elevated, authorities continue to urge residents, especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions, to take precautions while outdoors.