Delhi IGI Airport Flooded: Terminal 3 Submerged, Flights Diverted To Jaipur

Heavy rainfall in the national capital has led to a chaotic situation at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, where several areas have been submerged under water. The intense downpour has resulted in significant waterlogging across the airport premises, causing immense hardship for passengers and commuters traveling to and from the facility. The impact of the weather wasn't limited to the ground, as flight operations were also severely affected. Due to the adverse weather conditions and the resulting situation at the airport, three flights scheduled to land in Delhi had to be diverted to Jaipur.

Flight Diversions and Operational Disruptions

According to official reports, two flights from IndiGo and one from Air India were unable to land at the Delhi airport due to the prevailing conditions, while these included IndiGo flight 6E-869 coming from Bengaluru to Delhi, IndiGo flight 6E-6560 from Purnia to Delhi, and Air India flight AI-1818 from Srinagar to Delhi. Following the inability to land safely in the capital, all three aircraft were redirected to the Jaipur airport, where they eventually landed. This diversion caused significant waiting times and inconvenience for the passengers on board these flights.

Awaiting Clearance from Air Traffic Control

It has been reported that the three diverted flights will be cleared to return to Delhi only after the situation at the IGI airport normalizes and clearance is received from the Delhi Air Traffic Control (ATC). The heavy rain has Importantly impacted flight operations, leading to delays and rescheduling as the authorities monitor the weather and ground conditions closely.

Unprecedented Scenes at Terminal 3

The heavy rain that lashed Delhi on Friday afternoon resulted in severe waterlogging at Terminal 3 within just a few hours. The water level rose to the point where it reached the passenger seating areas, creating a distressing environment for those waiting for their flights. Airport staff were seen working tirelessly, using wipers and other equipment to drain the water from the terminal building. A major concern for the authorities is the underground metro that operates beneath the flooded section; efforts are being intensified to prevent the water from seeping down into the metro infrastructure.

Passenger and Staff Testimonials

Passengers at the airport expressed their shock at the scale of the flooding. A passenger named Mansi shared her experience, stating that she had never witnessed such a scene before. She mentioned that the airport was heavily flooded and that she had been standing in one spot for nearly half an hour, waiting for the water level to recede so she could move toward the arrival gate. Similarly, an airport employee remarked that they had never seen such a situation in the past. While water usually drains away after rain, the intensity of this one-hour downpour was enough to deteriorate the conditions rapidly.

Weather Alerts for Delhi-NCR

The heavy rainfall has not been restricted to the airport alone, as several parts of Delhi-NCR experienced intense showers on Friday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Red Alert for Delhi, indicating the possibility of further extreme weather. Meanwhile, an Orange Alert has been issued for Gurugram. The heavy rain has also led to waterlogging on various roads across the capital, causing significant traffic disruptions and making commuting difficult for the general public.