Flights Delayed, Roads Flooded: Delhi Airport’s Storm Alert to Passengers

Image Source: Hindustan Times

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport issued a passenger advisory early Sunday after torrential rains and a severe thunderstorm battered the capital, causing widespread disruption to flight operations and city traffic.

Key Highlights:

Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms lashed Delhi and NCR in the early hours of Sunday, recording up to 81 mm of rain in Safdarjung and significant downpours in Palam, Pusa, and other areas.
The airport’s advisory, released at 6:50 am, warned passengers of ongoing flight delays and cancellations. Travellers were urged to check flight status regularly and stay in touch with airlines for real-time updates.
Over 100 flights were affected, with 49 flights—including 17 international—diverted between 11:30 pm Saturday and 4:00 am Sunday due to adverse weather conditions.
IndiGo and other airlines advised passengers to allow extra time for travel to the airport, as waterlogging and traffic congestion were reported on key routes, including the road to Terminal 3.

Severe waterlogging crippled several areas such as Moti Bagh, Minto Road, Nanakpura Underpass, and Dhaula Kuan. Visuals showed submerged cars and buses, with tree falls causing further roadblocks.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert for Delhi, predicting strong thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and gusty winds up to 100 km/h. Residents were advised to avoid open spaces and unstable structures.

The downpour brought a sharp drop in temperatures, providing relief from the recent heatwave but also triggering power disruptions and slow-moving traffic across the city.

Airport and city authorities are working to restore normalcy, clear debris, and assist affected travellers.

Source: India Today