A sudden spell of heavy rain on Friday caused waterlogging at parts of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), disrupting flight operations just days before the Capital prepares to host the BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13.
Passengers at Terminals 2 and 3 were seen wading through ankle-deep water while carrying luggage, while vehicles moved slowly through waterlogged approach roads. Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), which operates the airport, said the accumulated water was cleared shortly afterwards.
The disruption has raised questions about the airport’s preparedness for the monsoon, particularly with delegations from 11 BRICS countries expected to arrive in Delhi ahead of the summit.
Flights Diverted, Hundreds Delayed
The heavy rainfall and strong winds also affected flight operations. At least 11 flights were diverted between 3.30 pm and 7 pm, with flights redirected to Jaipur, Lucknow, Ahmedabad and Chandigarh. More than 400 flights were delayed at Delhi airport during the day, according to flight-tracking data.
The airport area also experienced squally winds of around 76 kmph. Palam recorded the highest rainfall in the city, receiving 74.8 mm between 8.30 am and 8.30 pm, while several other areas recorded significant rainfall.
Preparedness Under Scrutiny
The incident has renewed concerns about basic infrastructure at IGIA, which has undergone extensive expansion and construction in recent years. The airport is currently preparing a long-term master plan aimed at increasing its capacity from more than 100 million passengers annually to 140 million passengers.
Friday’s waterlogging has also brought earlier infrastructure concerns back into focus, including the 2024 Terminal 1 canopy collapse, which killed a taxi driver and injured several others.
With high-profile international delegations expected in the Capital next week, the latest disruption has placed renewed attention on the airport’s drainage, weather preparedness and ability to handle extreme monsoon conditions.
