Mumbai began Monday, February 2, 2026, under a veil of cold and haze, with smog engulfing several neighbourhoods and sharply cutting down visibility. The murky conditions once again drew attention to the city`s deteriorating air quality, an issue that has lingered since the start of the winter season.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted mostly clear weather through the day, with temperatures likely to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius. Although temperatures have remained relatively steady over the past few days, pollution levels have been anything but consistent, triggering growing health concerns among residents.
Data from the Sameer app showed Mumbai`s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 138 on Monday morning, categorising it as `moderate`.
Pollution levels varied across the city, with Bandra Kurla Complex recording an AQI of 141, Borivali East 134, Byculla 161, Andheri East 146, Chembur 120, Colaba 131, and Deonar 160. Ghatkopar registered an AQI of 164, Kandivali East 124, Malad West 160, Mazgaon 115, while Mulund West reported the highest reading among key locations at 169.
Delhi-NCR wakes up to dense fog with AQI in moderate to poor categories
Meanwhile, several parts of the Delhi-National Capital Region woke up to dense fog on Monday morning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) remaining in the moderate to poor categories, according to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
As per CPCB data, AQI levels were recorded at 242 in Anand Vihar, 222 in Bawana, 157 at Burari Crossing, 217 in Chandni Chowk, 158 at DTU, 240 in Dwarka Sector-8, 132 at IGI Airport (T3), 141 at IIT Delhi, 194 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, 116 at Lodhi Road, 232 at R.K. Puram, 207 in Patparganj, and 208 in Sonia Vihar.
The Delhi-adjacent areas witnessed misty conditions in the early morning hours. Air quality in Ghaziabad remained in the ‘poor’ category, with an AQI of 259 recorded in the morning, according to CPCB data.
In several parts of Delhi and NCR, visibility dropped to below 50 metres, severely affecting vehicular movement on major roads and highways. Officials stated that visibility conditions were likely to deteriorate further in the coming hours due to persistent fog.
Major transit hubs, including the Indira Gandhi International Airport and several railway stations, reported delays as shallow to moderate fog continued well past sunrise. Commuters travelling on the DND Flyway and the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway were advised to drive cautiously, use fog lights, and maintain low speeds amid hazardous conditions.
Delhi’s weather is expected to change in the coming days. From February 3, skies are likely to gradually clear. However, another western disturbance is expected to affect north-west India from the night of February 5, potentially bringing cloud cover and drizzle towards the end of the week.
Morning fog is expected to persist for the next six days. During the first week of February, maximum temperatures may gradually rise to around 24-25 degrees Celsius, bringing a mild sense of warmth during daytime hours.
North India, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, is also expected to witness notable weather changes as two western disturbances move across the region in quick succession, possibly leading to light rainfall in parts of north-west India later this week.
