Delhi is currently experiencing a severe cold wave, with biting cold gripping the National Capital Region (NCR) as minimum temperatures have plummeted significantly below seasonal averages. On Sunday, January 11, 2026, several areas reported mercury levels well below 4.1°C, with Ayanagar registering a minimum of 2.9°C and Palam 3.0°C. Safdarjung, the city's base station, recorded 4.8°C. These extreme conditions led the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a 'yellow' alert for an ongoing cold wave, which is expected to persist over the coming days. Beyond the biting cold, Delhi is also grappling with persistent dense fog, which has severely reduced visibility in the mornings, impacting daily commute and potentially disrupting air and rail travel. Adding to the woes, the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) remains in the 'poor' to 'very poor' categories. On January 11, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an AQI of 295, categorised as 'poor', at 9 a.m. However, other reports indicated AQI levels slipping into the 'very poor' category, with readings above 300 and even 400 in certain areas on January 10 and 11. This combination of intense cold, dense fog, and deteriorated air quality poses significant health risks, especially for vulnerable populations, and disrupts normal life across the capital and other parts of North India. The IMD has attributed the sharp fall in temperatures to cold northerly winds and heavy snowfall in the Himalayan regions, with no immediate relief expected for the next few days. Cold day conditions are also prevailing, making daytime temperatures struggle to rise. Authorities have advised residents to take necessary precautions against the severe weather.