In a recent update, some 49 flights have been diverted while 180 have been delayed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport due to powerful thunderstorms, strong winds and heavy rainfall. Late Saturday night, Delhi NCR experienced a major storm that caused chaos for thousands of passengers.

The bad weather began around 11:30 PM on May 24 and continued until early Sunday morning. As per officials, the speed of the wind reached up to 82 km/hour which created hazardous conditions for aircraft trying to land. The visibility was also affected and runway conditions deteriorated because of heavy downpour. Several pilots opted to divert to alternative airports rather than risk landing in Delhi. Flights were rerouted to nearby airports such as Jaipur, Amritsar, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad.

Of the 49 diverted flights, 17 were international.Operations at all three terminals of the airport were severely affected. Terminal 3, which handles the majority of international traffic, witnessed heavy congestion as delayed flights piled up. Long queues formed at security checks and baggage counters, and frustrated passengers struggled to get timely updates on their flight status. Terminal 1, which handles many domestic flights, also experienced significant delays.

Throughout Sunday, the situation remained tense as the airport staff and airlines worked to restore normal operations. More than 180 flights reported delays by Sunday evening, including around 35 international services. Passengers had to wait for extended hours both inside aircraft on the tarmac and in crowded terminal buildings.IndiGo Airlines, one of the country’s largest carriers, issued an advisory to travelers asking them to check flight schedules before heading to the airport.

The airline also suggested that passengers carry essentials such as water, snacks, and power banks, as long delays and traffic jams caused by waterlogging near the airport had worsened the travel experience.

Outside the airport, traffic was disrupted due to heavy water accumulation on roads, further compounding the woes of travelers trying to reach or leave the airport.Though weather conditions improved gradually by Sunday afternoon, the backlog caused by the storm is expected to have a ripple effect on flight schedules for the next several hours, if not days. Authorities have urged passengers to remain patient and stay updated through official airline websites and apps.