Delhi is currently experiencing an intense cold wave, with its coldest January morning in about two years and related disruptions like extended school closures and very poor air quality.

Quick Scoop

  • Delhi’s minimum temperature has dropped to around 4.2°C, making it the coldest morning of this winter and the lowest January minimum since 2024.
  • The city is under a cold wave with dense fog, very low visibility, and a very poor air quality index in the 340–360+ range.
  • Due to the harsh cold and fog, schools in Delhi have been kept on winter vacation and ordered closed until January 15 for student safety.

Weather And Pollution

  • The India Meteorological Department has recorded rapidly falling minimum temperatures over the last few days, with values dipping from around 8–6°C down to near 4°C.
  • Fog, high humidity, and stagnant air are trapping pollutants near the surface, keeping the AQI in the “very poor” category across much of the city.

Impact On Daily Life

  • Power demand in Delhi has hit record winter highs as residents rely more on electrical heating to cope with the cold.
  • Many people, especially those without air purifiers or proper insulation, are struggling with both cold and polluted air even inside their homes.

Schools And Official Measures

  • The Directorate of Education has confirmed that all Delhi schools will remain shut for winter vacation until January 15, 2026, aligning with the 2025–26 academic calendar and the current cold wave.
  • Parents and forums have raised concerns that some private schools might not be fully complying with the closure directions, urging authorities to ensure uniform rules for all schools.

Trending Discussion Points

  • On news sites and forums, people are debating how prepared the city is for extreme winter: from school policy and protection for children to support for vulnerable groups like the homeless and daily wage workers.
  • There is also growing discussion about long-term air quality solutions, as each winter’s combination of cold, fog, and pollution is making life harder in Delhi year after year.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.