A portion of the roof at Terminal 1 of Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport collapsed early Sunday following intense thunderstorms and heavy rainfall that lashed the national capital. A video widely shared on social media shows part of the terminal’s tensile overhang giving way as water pours down, flooding the pavement below.
According to the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the incident occurred as a response to extreme weather conditions. “A section of the external tensile fabric at the T1 Arrival forecourt adjusted under pressure, thereby aiding in water dispersal. There was no structural compromise or impact to other parts of the terminal,” a DIAL spokesperson said.
Vikas overflows in Delhi Airport after a drizzle. pic.twitter.com/BP7bA5QaGV
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The IMD reported wind speeds of up to 82 km/h and rainfall of 81.2 mm in just six hours between 11:30 PM on Saturday and 5:30 AM on Sunday. This sudden and intense downpour caused water accumulation in and around IGI Airport.
As a result, 49 flights, including 17 international services, were diverted. “Delhi experienced an intense thunderstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall… leading to temporary water accumulation at the airport, briefly impacting operations,” said the Delhi Airport in a statement.
Airport authorities said ground teams acted swiftly to ensure safety and restore operations with minimal disruption. Elsewhere in the city, severe waterlogging caused traffic snarls, with visuals from Minto Road showing a car submerged. Several parts of the city reported congestion and slow vehicular movement.
Earlier in the week, a dust storm swept through Delhi following a cloud mass movement from the north, adding to the city’s erratic pre-monsoon weather conditions.