Late-night storm causes significant flight disruptions at Delhi airport; normal operations resume by early morning
May 25, 2025: A fierce thunderstorm that swept across Delhi late Saturday night led to widespread travel disruptions at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Between 11:30 PM and 4:00 AM, 49 flights—including 17 international ones—had to be diverted to alternative airports. Around 200 flights were also delayed, with average wait times of 45 minutes, according to data from FlightRadar24.
Weather Chaos Grounds Flights
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported wind gusts reaching up to 82 kmph and 81.2 mm of rainfall recorded in the six-hour window, as the city battled heavy rain and lightning.
The sudden storm led to airside congestion, preventing planes from landing or taking off safely. As a result, flight operations slowed down significantly during the night.
Also Read: ‘Feels Like Shimla’: Delhites React as Thunderstorms, Heavy Rain Lash Delhi-NCR
Airlines, Airport Issue Updates
IndiGo Airlines, one of the busiest carriers at the airport, posted updates on X (formerly Twitter). At 3:59 AM, the airline said, “While the weather is gradually easing, some airside congestion remains. We assure you that flight movements are steadily resuming as conditions permit.” By 5:54 AM, they confirmed that operations had returned to normal.
Delhi Airport also released an advisory at 6:50 AM, urging passengers to check flight statuses regularly and stay connected with airline staff for the latest updates. “Our on-ground teams are diligently working with all stakeholders to ensure a seamless and efficient passenger experience,” it stated.
Also Read: After the Rains- Delhi Faces Severe Waterlogging, Flights at IGI Airport Disrupted
Impact on the City
The IMD had earlier issued a red alert for Delhi and surrounding areas, warning of intense thunderstorms and strong winds. The storm caused heavy waterlogging, uprooted trees, and power outages in multiple parts of the capital, including Minto Road, Delhi Cantonment, and Dhaula Kuan.
Video footage from near Terminal 1 showed vehicles wading through flooded roads, underscoring the impact of the sudden downpour on the city’s transport infrastructure.
As of early Sunday morning, the skies had cleared, and flight operations had resumed at full capacity, ensuring that passengers could continue their journeys with minimal further delays.
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Delhi weather update, Delhi storm news, Delhi flight delays, Delhi airport flight status, IMD red alert Delhi, severe thunderstorm Delhi, IGI airport flight disruptions, flight operations Delhi May 2025