Multiple disruptions at Delhi airport due to rain and storm, check advisory before travel

A powerful thunderstorm swept through Delhi late Saturday night, causing widespread disruption at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. Between 11:30 PM and 4:00 AM, 49 flights, including 17 international ones, were diverted to other airports due to heavy rain and intense wind activity.

The storm led to delays in approximately 200 flights, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. On average, delays stretched up to 45 minutes as aircraft were grounded or redirected due to safety concerns. FlightRadar24 data showed that air traffic remained severely impacted until early Sunday morning.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the capital experienced wind gusts of up to 82 kmph and 81.2 mm of rainfall within six hours. The conditions triggered a red alert late Saturday evening, with the weather department warning of continued thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy rain.

IndiGo Airlines, one of the largest carriers operating at Delhi airport, kept passengers informed via social media. The airline confirmed that while the storm eased by 4:00 AM, some congestion persisted. By 5:54 AM, operations had resumed, and IndiGo announced that flight movements were returning to normal.

In a public advisory issued at 6:50 AM, Delhi Airport acknowledged the disruption and urged travelers to check their flight statuses regularly. “Our teams are working with all stakeholders to ensure efficient passenger service,” the advisory read.

The storm caused chaos across the city as well, with severe waterlogging, power outages, and uprooted trees reported in areas like Minto Road, Delhi Cantonment, and Dhaula Kuan. Footage from near Terminal 1 of the airport showed waterlogged roads and vehicles stuck in flooded lanes, highlighting the city’s vulnerability to sudden weather events.