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Delhi records highest January AQI of 440 in 2 years on January 18, 2026
Delhi's air quality hit a severe AQI of 440 on January 18, 2026, the highest January reading in two years and joint-worst for the second half of the month on record.
Why It Matters
Severe air pollution threatens public health, triggers strict emergency measures under GRAP Stage IV, and highlights ongoing winter air quality crisis in Delhi-NCR.
Timeline
5 Events
Expert calls for emission reductions
January 18, 2026
Experts urged urgent emission cuts at major sources and GRAP measures for short-term relief, with long-term solutions needing broader airshed reductions.
First severe air day of 2026 confirmed
January 18, 2026
January 18 marked Delhi's first severe AQI day of the year and since December 29, 2025 (AQI 401); second-worst winter reading after 461 on December 14.
Peak daily AQI recorded
January 18, 2026, 4pm
Standard 4pm AQI reading hit 440, highest for January since 447 on January 14, 2024, and joint-worst for second half of month matching January 17, 2019.
Dense fog and severe AQI reported
January 18, 2026, 8am
Dense fog enveloped Delhi with visibility dropping sharply; AQI stood at 440, categorized as severe.
GRAP Stage IV measures invoked
January 17, 2026
Commission for Air Quality Management invoked Stage IV emergency measures under Graded Response Action Plan after AQI reached 428 at 8pm.