New Delhi: A biting cold spell has gripped New Delhi, dragging the night-time mercury down to a season-low of 9.7 °C, and with it, triggering a sharp deterioration in air quality across the capital. Experts warn that a toxic mix of weather and emissions is deepening the city’s winter smog crisis.

Chillier conditions have created a perfect pollution trap: with calmer winds, clear skies, and strong radiative cooling, pollutants are being held close to ground level. This meteorological setup has halted the dispersion of emissions, causing the concentration of harmful particles to rise dangerously.

Data from monitoring stations shows the fallout. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), 33 out of 39 stations have reported air quality levels in the “severe” category. At one

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