Delhi residents woke up to another day of hazardous air on Sunday, December 28, 2025, as a dense blanket of smog enveloped the national capital. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) remained firmly in the 'very poor' category, recorded at 392, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Severe Pollution Grips Multiple Localities
Data from the CPCB's Sameer app painted a grim picture, revealing that nineteen air quality monitoring stations across the city reported pollution levels in the 'severe' category. The situation was particularly dire at Anand Vihar, which led the list with an alarming AQI reading of 444. Other areas, while slightly better, still recorded air quality classified as 'very poor'.
The severe smog drastically reduced visibility, affecting daily life and landmarks. Morning visuals from the Akshardham Temple area, where the AQI was a severe 445, showed the iconic structure nearly disappearing into the thick, grey haze.
Airport Issues Advisory for Passengers
The deteriorating visibility prompted Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport to issue an advisory for travellers. While stating that all flight operations were continuing normally as visibility at the airport improved, authorities urged passengers to contact their respective airlines for the most current flight information to avoid any inconvenience.
Sources of Pollution and Forecast
Analysis from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology's Decision Support System pinpointed the major contributors to Delhi's toxic PM2.5 load. Transport emissions were the top contributor at 16.22%, followed by the industrial sector at 8.4%. Residential emissions accounted for approximately 4%, while waste burning, construction, and road dust together added another 5%.
The report also highlighted significant external contributions from neighbouring regions, with Jhajjar in Haryana being the highest at 17.59%. Sonipat and Rohtak followed with contributions of 5.8% and 4.6%, respectively.
With no favourable meteorological conditions like strong winds expected to disperse the pollutants, the forecast remains bleak. The IITM has predicted that Delhi's air quality is likely to stay in the 'Very Poor' category through December 30, with a similar outlook projected for the subsequent six days. This comes after a brief period of improvement earlier in the week, which was driven by strong and sustained winds.
