India’s two biggest metropolitan cities ushered in 2026 with sharply contrasting weather patterns. While the national capital remained engulfed in thick smog and severe cold, Mumbai woke up to unexpected rainfall on the first morning of the New Year.
Early visuals from central Delhi, including areas around India Gate and Kartavya Path, showed reduced visibility as pollution levels stayed alarmingly high. Official data indicated that Delhi’s air quality remained in the “very poor” category on Thursday morning.
At 8 am, Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 371, placing it firmly within the very poor bracket. Several neighbouring cities also reported similar conditions, underlining the widespread impact of pollution across the National Capital Region.
Delhi among most polluted cities
Delhi emerged as the most polluted city in the country on Thursday morning. Noida followed with an AQI reading of 364, while Ghaziabad recorded 338. Greater Noida stood close behind with an AQI of 336. All these cities fell under the very poor air quality category.
Coldest December day in six years
Alongside hazardous pollution levels, Delhi also witnessed an intense cold spell while bidding farewell to 2025. The city recorded its coldest December day in six years on Wednesday, with the maximum temperature dropping sharply to 14.2 degrees Celsius.
Meteorological data showed that the last time Delhi recorded a lower maximum temperature on December 31 was in 2019, when it fell to 9.4 degrees Celsius. The temperature on Wednesday was around 6.2 degrees below normal, marking the lowest maximum recorded this winter season so far.
The minimum temperature settled at 6.4 degrees Celsius, slightly below the seasonal average. December 20 and 21 also saw notably low maximum temperatures earlier in the month.
Weather officials indicated that colder conditions could intensify from January 3 onwards, as cold northerly winds from the Himalayan region are expected to move towards the capital, potentially leading to a further drop in minimum temperatures.
Mumbai wakes up to rain on first day of 2026
In contrast to Delhi’s smog and cold, Mumbai experienced rainfall on the morning of January 1. Several parts of the city, particularly areas in the island city, witnessed showers instead of the usual New Year sunshine.
The rain began shortly before 6 am, with some localities recording heavier showers while others saw light drizzle. The intensity of rainfall reduced gradually after 6.15 am, bringing brief relief but surprising residents on the first day of the year.