On January 17, 2026, dense fog blanketed Delhi-NCR, reducing visibility to zero and causing delays in flights and trains. Air quality worsened, prompting the imposition of GRAP-III restrictions. The IMD has warned of continued cold wave and fog for the next five days.
Northern India continues to reel under a harsh winter, with dense fog enveloping Delhi-NCR on January 17, 2026, turning everything hazy. Visibility dropped to zero in areas like Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad, making road travel hazardous. At Indira Gandhi International Airport, several flights faced delays, and passengers were advised to check with airlines. Trains also ran behind schedule, leaving commuters stranded at railway stations.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts cold day conditions in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Uttar Pradesh. The minimum temperature on January 16 was 4.3 degrees Celsius, three degrees below normal, following 2.9 degrees on January 15—the season's coldest night so far. The Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 354 (Very Poor) on January 16, escalating to 402 (Severe) at ITO.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked GRAP Stage III restrictions from January 16, banning non-essential construction, restricting BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles, and prohibiting diesel medium and heavy vehicles. Schools will adopt a hybrid mode of teaching. The IMD issued a yellow alert for cold wave in several Uttar Pradesh districts, with fog expected to persist for the next five days. Authorities urge using fog lights, driving slowly, and wearing masks outdoors.
