Delhi Chokes Again: Is This the New Normal for India’s Capital?
On Monday, January 19, 2026, Delhi woke up to a suffocating blanket of smog and dense fog, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to a hazardous 418—deep in the ‘severe’ category. The toxic cocktail of pollutants not only grounded flights but also posed serious health risks to millions. As experts point to local emissions and stagnant weather, residents are left wondering: has this become the new normal for India’s capital?





