Delhi is literally disappearing into a white wall this morning, Saturday, January 17, 2026. If you looked out your window at 7:00 AM, you probably saw… nothing. The fog is so thick you could almost lean against it.
The thing is, visibility at the IGI Airport crashed to just 50 meters earlier today. Or nothing. Let’s be real, the flight schedule is a mess right now. More than 60 flights are currently delayed, and some have been diverted because the “Cat-III” landing systems can only do so much when the soup is this thick. Those too. If you’re heading to the airport, don’t. Check your phone first—airlines are begging people to verify their status before leaving home.
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The “Winter Siege” Log: Field Notes
It’s an ongoing situation where the cold is biting, but the air is what’s really killing the vibe.
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The Temperature “Tease”: The minimum temperature actually “warmed up” to 7°C today, compared to yesterday’s brutal 4.3°C. The thing is, with the humidity at 95%, it feels even colder. Safdarjung recorded our coldest night in three years just 48 hours ago at 2.9°C.
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The Toxic Mix: It’s not just water vapor; it’s smog. The AQI hit 368 this morning, which is “Very Poor,” but hotspots like ITO and Chandni Chowk have already breached 400 (Severe). And here’s the kicker—GRAP-III restrictions are officially back. No construction, no BS-III petrol cars, no BS-IV diesel cars. Those too.
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The “India Open” Casualty: The pollution is so bad it’s hitting the sports world. Danish badminton star Anders Antonsen just withdrew from the India Open 2026, citing the air quality. It’s a mess.
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The “Western Disturbance” Hope: The IMD says a new weather system is moving in from the Himalayas. The thing is, it might bring light rain by tomorrow, which would wash some of this gunk out of the air. Or it might just make the fog even stickier.
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Delhi Winter Dashboard: Jan 17, 2026
| Metric | Current Status | The Ground Reality |
| Visibility | 50 – 100 meters | Major delays at IGI; trains running 3–5 hours late. |
| Minimum Temp | 7°C | Slight rise, but wind chill makes it feel like 5°C. |
| Air Quality (AQI) | 368 (Avg) / 405 (Hotspots) | Severe. GRAP-III restrictions in full force. |
| Flight Impact | 60+ Delays | Intermittent cancellations likely until 2 PM. |
| School Status | Hybrid / Closed | Most primary schools in NCR remain closed. |
And Here’s the Kicker…
The CAQM (the pollution bosses) activated GRAP-III proactively because they saw the “Severe” trend coming. The thing is, they aren’t waiting for the average to hit 400 anymore—they’re trying to stop it before it gets there. Those too. If you’re driving, keep your fog lights on and your speed down.
It’s an ongoing situation where the “winter break” for many offices is being unofficially extended because half the staff is stuck at the airport or stuck in traffic behind a slow-moving truck in the fog. The thing is, Delhi winters aren’t a season anymore; they’re an endurance test.
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End…
