Dust Storm and Rain Disrupt Flight Operations at Delhi Airport – Four Flights Diverted
A sudden dust storm followed by light rain caused major disruptions to flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on Sunday evening. Due to the poor weather conditions in Delhi and its surrounding National Capital Region (NCR), several flights were delayed, and at least four were diverted to other airports.
According to the latest reports, between 5:00 PM and 5:30 PM, four inbound flights were unable to land in Delhi and had to be diverted. These included two flights from Jaipur, one from Chandigarh, and one from Amritsar. The reduced visibility due to the dust storm and strong winds made it unsafe for aircraft to land at Delhi Airport during this period.
In response to the situation, Delhi Airport issued an official statement on its X (formerly Twitter) account, advising passengers to stay updated about their flights by contacting their respective airlines directly. The airport authority posted:
“Due to the current adverse weather conditions in Delhi, flight operations at Delhi Airport have been affected. Our teams are working diligently on the ground to minimize disruptions and ensure a smooth travel experience. Passengers are requested to contact their airlines for the latest flight information.”
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier issued a weather advisory warning of possible dust storms and thundershowers across Delhi and NCR on Sunday evening. At around 5:00 PM, they forecast that the next two hours could bring stormy conditions to areas such as Noida, Gurugram, and Faridabad. Shortly afterward, residents began sharing videos of the dust storm on social media platforms, highlighting the sudden drop in visibility and the swirling clouds of dust enveloping the region.
The inclement weather not only affected air travel but also led to slower traffic movement on several roads, as visibility on major routes was significantly reduced. Authorities have advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel during such conditions and to stay indoors wherever possible.
The IMD has asked people to remain alert, especially in areas likely to be hit by heavy winds. The department also stated that more light rain and thunderstorms may follow in parts of NCR, although they expect conditions to stabilize soon.
Airline officials have also issued statements advising passengers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport, as schedules may change without much prior notice due to weather conditions. Many passengers experienced long waiting times or were rebooked on later flights due to the unexpected delays.
As Delhi continues to experience volatile summer weather, the airport and aviation authorities are working closely to ensure minimal impact on travel. While such dust storms are not uncommon during the pre-monsoon season in northern India, they can still pose serious safety challenges, especially to aviation.
In the meantime, travelers are urged to stay connected with their airline customer service teams and keep an eye on official updates from the airport.
