Delhi wakes up to thick blanket of smog; IGI airport issues advisory

The AQI in the national capital was recorded at 439 at 7 am, according to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Many areas experienced low visibility due to smog, making it difficult for travellers.

Visuals from Akshardham showed the area engulfed in dense fog, with the iconic structure barely visible from a distance on a winter morning amid a severe cold wave.

VIDEO | Delhi: A severe cold wave and dense fog enveloped the national capital, shrouding Akshardham Temple in thick mist, with its iconic structure barely visible from a distance on a wintry morning.#DelhiColdWave #DenseFog #Akshardham

(Full video available on PTI Videos –… pic.twitter.com/ITu50ygX4Y

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 18, 2026

Dense fog shrouded Vasant Kunj on a chilly morning, reducing visibility.

VIDEO | Delhi: Dense fog shrouded Vasant Kunj on a chilly morning, reducing visibility and adding a wintry haze to the national capital.#DelhiFog #VasantKunj #ColdWave

(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/y8yrcuWvqa

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 18, 2026

Delhi airport issues advisory

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport issued an advisory for passengers amid the low visibility conditions.

#WATCH | Poor visibility witnessed at the runway at IGI airport as dense fog engulfs Delhi-NCR. pic.twitter.com/dIQlyZYQnk

— ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2026

The airport advised passengers to contact the relevant airlines for the latest flight information.

“Low Visibility Procedures are still in progress at Delhi Airport. All flight operations are presently normal. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information,” read the advisory.

Passenger Advisory issued at 09:00 hrs.

Please click on this link for real-time winter travel updates:
https://t.co/1grW9nhXpJ#DelhiAirport #PassengerAdvisory #DELAdvisory pic.twitter.com/cNv3mV0dac

— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) January 18, 2026

Delhi AQI nears ‘severe’ range, GRAP IV returns

Delhi-NCR saw the return of the strictest anti-pollution measures on Saturday under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) as the Capital recorded an average air quality index (AQI) of 400 on Saturday in the ‘Very Poor’ category, on the brink of turning ‘Severe’.

This was a sharp increase from Friday’s AQI of 354 when the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas had invoked GRAP 3 measures. While neighbouring Noida registered an AQI of 388 on Saturday, compared to 363 a day before, AQI in Gurgaon was logged at 360, as compared to 347 on Friday.

“The AQI of Delhi, which was recorded as 400 on Saturday at 4 pm, exhibited a sharp increasing trend and has been recorded at 428 at 8 pm, owing to a western disturbance, highly unfavourable weather and meteorological conditions, and lack of dispersal of pollutants,” said a senior official of the CAQM.