Delhi’s air quality slips to ‘very poor,’ smog blankets the city, and visibility drops

Very Poor Air Quality Grips Delhi, Smog Blanket Leads to Low Visibility

Written by: Supriya Kadu

Edited by: Pinky Deshmukh

Last Updated: December 18, 2025

Summary: Thick haze covers Delhi as AQI stays ‘very poor’ around 370, lowering visibility sharply.

Today, Delhi woke up to a thick layer of smog. Air quality in the city stayed in the "very poor" zone near 370 on the AQI, and visibility dropped a lot in the morning rush. Streets, parks and even major roads looked hazy, giving everything a dull, grey tint and making it tough to see far beyond a few hundred metres.

Commuters reported a substantial decrease in visibility, particularly early in the day when the haze was at its greatest. For many residents, the air felt thick and irritating — something that has become all too familiar during winter months when cooler weather and stagnant air tend to trap pollutants closer to the ground.

Health experts advise that people, particularly children, elderly citizens, and those with respiratory conditions, limit outdoor activities, wear masks if stepping outside, and keep windows and doors closed as much as possible. The “very poor” category of AQI — between 301 and 400 — implies that the air is unhealthy for everyone, not just sensitive individuals.

A combination of factors is driving the deterioration: emissions from vehicles, dust from construction sites, and, importantly, crop-burning in neighbouring states have all contributed to the dense smog. Calm winds and cooler night temperatures only make it easier for these pollutants to stay trapped over the city.

Authorities have already put out warnings about the health risks of long-term exposure to dirty air and asked schools to be careful with outdoor activities. Some neighbourhood clinics and hospitals reported an uptick in patients with coughing, wheezing, and other breathing issues over the past couple of days.

Delhi’s smog problem isn’t new — but days like this serve as a reminder of just how fragile urban air can be when weather patterns, pollution sources and human activity all align unfavourably.

Stay tuned for updates as the situation evolves, and meteorological forecasts help determine whether relief is on the horizon — or if the haze is here to linger a little longer this winter.