Delhi-NCR Faces Severe Air Pollution Amid Dense Fog and Cold Wave; GRAP Stage IV Enforced

Delhi and the National Capital Region experienced severe air pollution on January 19, 2026, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) consistently exceeding 400 across multiple locations, including Wazirpur and Anand Vihar. Dense fog and cold wave conditions worsened visibility and air quality, disrupting daily life and causing flight delays at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Authorities reinstated Stage IV restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to curb pollution. Meteorological forecasts predict continued fog and cold, with possible rain later in the week that may improve conditions. Nearby cities like Noida, Ghaziabad, and Lucknow also reported poor to very poor air quality despite some rainfall.