Delhi Blanketed in Polluted Haze as Temperatures Dip Below Normal

As of November 7th, 2025, Delhi is grappling with a severe air pollution crisis, with a thick haze of pollutants and shallow fog shrouding the city in the early hours. The minimum temperature has dipped to 12.7°C, which is two degrees below normal, and persistent cold northwesterly winds are expected to further lower the mercury by 1-2°C over the weekend.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the minimum temperature is likely to drop below 10°C by Monday, as the clear skies and lack of surface heating during the day contribute to the cooling effect at night. The Lodhi Road weather station recorded the lowest minimum of 11.2°C on Friday, followed by 11.4°C at Ayanagar, with the air quality remaining "very poor".

The air pollution situation in Delhi has been exacerbated by the intrusion of stubble smoke, firecracker emissions from Gurpurab, and local emissions, leading to a smoke-filled sky until wind speed picked up from 10am onwards on Thursday. The contribution of stubble smoke to Delhi's air pollution has reached a season high of 9.5% on Thursday and is forecast to touch 38% on Friday, further deteriorating the city's air quality.

Experts have warned that the situation is likely to worsen in the coming days, as forecasts show westerly to north-westerly winds at the transport level are expected to blow in the city, bringing in more stubble smoke from the surrounding regions.