Delhi is enduring a severe cold wave, compounded by worsening air quality, as temperatures dip and pollution levels soar. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality index (AQI) in the capital has reached alarming levels, breaching the ‘very poor’ category for the second time in as many days.

On Monday, at 5:30 AM, Delhi's temperature was recorded at 5°C, a drop from 6°C the previous day. Along with the chill, the air quality also took a turn for the worse, with the AQI at 345 at 7 AM on Monday. This marks a sharp increase from 246 on Sunday. Certain areas of the city, such as Alipur, Anand Vihar, Bawana, and Burari Crossing, saw AQI levels between 350 and 397, falling within the ‘very poor’ range, while other localities like Dwarka Sec 8, Nehru Nagar, and Rohini recorded AQI levels above 370, placing the air quality into the ‘severe’ category.