Delhi Downpour Throws IGI Airport Into Chaos, Flights Resume After Swift Restoration

A wild thunderstorm with heavy rains and strong winds battered Delhi late in the evening on Saturday night, causing widespread disruptions at Indira Gandhi International Airport and other areas of the city. The most happening airport of the city saw a dramatic moment when part of the tensile canopy of Terminal 1 gave in to the weight of rainwater, suspending operations for a brief period and stranding passengers.

Major highlights:

Over 80 mm of rain in six hours with gusts of wind up to 82 km/h brought chaos at IGI Airport and Delhi.

The rain triggered partial collapse of the membrane canopy over the Terminal 1 arrival forecourt. Water rushed onto the road, and citizens rushed for shelter. Nobody was injured and there was no damage to other sections of the structure.

Airport proprietor DIAL described the incident as a natural design response, since the material of the canopy adjusted to pressure in order to distribute the water.

Flight activity was badly interrupted: 49 flights, 17 of which were international, were diverted from 11:30 pm to 4 am. More than 200 flights were affected in total, and over 400 delays had been reported by Sunday.

Airlines issued emergency announcements, asking passengers to monitor flight statuses and prepare for delays.

Waterlogging was most severe on airport highways and in places such as Minto Road, Dhaula Kuan, and Delhi Cantonment, leading to jams and vehicle grounding.

The India Meteorological Department had issued a red alert, forecasting thunderstorms and gusts of wind.

On-field personnel worked overnight, removing water and normalizing situations. Operations at airports were normal by early morning, although some delays were yet to be registered.

The city also witnessed power outages, fallen trees, and flooding, showing the impact of unusual weather on city infrastructure.

Sources: Hindustan Times, India Today, Times of India, Indian Express, ANI, Daily Pioneer