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A sudden and intense dust storm swept across Delhi, triggering severe travel chaos at Indira Gandhi International Airport as over one hundred flights operated by Air India, Akasa Air, IndiGO, Singapore Airlines, SpiceJet, and others faced significant delays. The powerful storm drastically reduced visibility and disrupted normal airport operations, forcing flight diversions, cancellations, and widespread passenger inconvenience throughout the region.
Dust Storm and Rainstorm Cause Major Air Travel Chaos in Delhi as Weather Swings Dramatically
Delhi was caught off guard on Wednesday evening as a sudden and violent dust storm swept through the capital, quickly followed by a downpour and hail that brought the city’s air traffic to a near standstill. The severe weather event, which lasted just over an hour, significantly disrupted flight schedules at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), leading to dozens of delays and diversions.
A sudden storm swept through Delhi-NCR shortly after dusk, unleashing powerful winds, thick dust plumes, and intense rainfall that slashed visibility to near zero.What began as a typical warm evening rapidly transformed into a chaotic night for travelers as turbulent skies forced flight diversions and delayed take-offs and landings.
Flight Chaos Unfolds at IGIA as Storm Intensifies
Between 7:45 pm and 8:45 pm, Delhi’s primary airport witnessed an unprecedented wave of flight disruptions. A minimum of 13 flights were redirected to different airports, with 12 diverted to Jaipur and one international flight sent to Mumbai. Alongside these reroutes, more than 50 other flights experienced delays because of the severe weather.
The airport’s operations control center quickly activated contingency protocols as pilots reported severe wind shear and heavy rainfall around the runway. The difficult flying conditions made both take-offs and landings risky, prompting a temporary suspension of several scheduled operations.
Airport officials and airline staff scrambled to manage passenger concerns, directing them to updated information channels and offering rebooking options where necessary.
Airlines Respond Swiftly, Issue Passenger Alerts
In response to the fast-changing weather, multiple airlines issued advisories warning passengers to verify flight statuses before arriving at the airport. Air India, Vistara, and IndiGo used social media to provide real-time updates and urged travelers to allow extra travel time due to waterlogged roads and reduced traffic flow around the airport area.
IndiGo reported that one of its Delhi-to-Srinagar flights encountered a hailstorm mid-flight. While the aircraft landed safely and all passengers disembarked without incident, the airline confirmed that the plane would remain grounded for a full inspection before being cleared to fly again. “Safety is paramount, and our technical teams will conduct a thorough assessment,” the airline stated in a press note.
Meanwhile, passengers shared stories of delays, diversions, and extended waits inside aircraft. Many took to social media to express their frustration and concern, while others praised the timely updates from the airport and airline ground teams.
Today’s Flight Status at Indira Gandhi International Airport
- Total flight delays recorded: One hundred and twenty
- Delays involving flights to, from, or within the United States: Three
- Total flight cancellations reported: Zero
- Cancellations involving flights to, from, or within the United States: Zero
Airline Performance Overview
| Airline | Cancellations | Cancellation Rate | Delays | Delay Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air India | 0 | 0% | 44 | 10% |
| Akasa Air | 0 | 0% | 1 | 3% |
| Air India Express | 0 | 0% | 5 | 5% |
| IndiGO | 0 | 0% | 52 | 10% |
| SpiceJet | 0 | 0% | 15 | 26% |
| Singapore Airlines | 0 | 0% | 1 | 25% |
Weather Whiplash Brings Heat Relief, But at a Cost
While the weather event caused considerable disruption, it also offered much-needed respite from Delhi’s scorching summer temperatures. Earlier in the day, the capital recorded a sweltering 40°C, with humidity pushing the perceived temperature above 50°C. Within just one hour of the storm’s onset, the temperature in Palam plummeted from 37°C at 7:30 pm to a comfortable 23°C by 8:30 pm.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributed the event to a localized weather system that formed over North Delhi and drifted southward. According to the IMD, wind speeds reached up to 70 km/h, carrying large amounts of dust and debris that reduced visibility to near-zero levels in several areas.
Rain and hail followed quickly, drenching parts of Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, and Ghaziabad. The storm also affected towns in neighboring Haryana, including Karnal, which saw similar weather patterns and localized traffic snarls.
IMD Warns of More Weather Volatility Ahead
Following the event, the IMD issued an updated weather bulletin indicating more turbulence ahead. A low-pressure system is forming in the east-central Arabian Sea, close to the North Karnataka-Goa coastline, which is expected to intensify into a depression over the next 36 hours.
As this system develops, heavy rainfall is forecast across parts of western and southern India, particularly in Gujarat, Konkan, Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala. While Delhi is not directly in the path of this system, the broader instability in the region may lead to further sporadic storms in the capital.
Meteorologists have warned residents to brace for similar fast-moving storms as monsoon conditions begin to influence northern India in the coming weeks.
Ground Teams Mobilized to Restore Normalcy
Delhi International Airport Ltd. (DIAL), which operates IGIA, stated that ground personnel were on high alert throughout the weather emergency.
As weather conditions eased later in the evening, flight operations gradually resumed. However, delays extended late into the night as backlogs cleared and affected aircraft were rescheduled.
Airport authorities encouraged travelers to keep tracking their flight status through official airline apps and airport communication channels.
Commuters Face Road Woes as Well
The dust storm and torrential rain didn’t just disrupt air travel — commuters across Delhi-NCR also experienced snarled traffic, poor visibility, and widespread waterlogging. Major roads like the Outer Ring Road, NH-48 near Gurugram, and stretches of the Delhi-Noida Direct (DND) Flyway saw heavy congestion as vehicles slowed to a crawl in the treacherous conditions.
Several traffic signals malfunctioned due to power outages, compounding delays during the post-work rush hour.
Emergency services were on standby, but no major accidents or injuries were reported by local authorities.
Wednesday’s intense dust storm and rainstorm served as a dramatic reminder of the unpredictability of weather patterns in the pre-monsoon season. While it brought temporary relief from the oppressive heat, it also highlighted the vulnerabilities in Delhi’s transport infrastructure — both on the ground and in the air.
A sudden dust storm in Delhi caused over one hundred flight delays for Air India, Akasa Air, IndiGO, Singapore Airlines, SpiceJet, and more due to severely reduced visibility and disrupted airport operations.
As similar weather events are likely in the coming days, passengers and commuters are strongly advised to monitor official updates, allow additional travel time, and remain cautious when navigating during adverse conditions.
Source: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/air-india-akasa-indigo-singapore-spicejet-and-more-face-travel-chaos-as-over-one-hundred-flights-delayed-by-sudden-delhi-dust-storm/