A sudden and powerful dust storm swept across the Delhi-NCR region on Friday, causing severe disruptions at Indira Gandhi International Airport and triggering delays, diversions, and chaos for thousands of air travelers. As visibility plummeted due to the swirling dust and strong winds, over 205 flights were delayed, and at least 50 flights had to be rerouted, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded inside terminals and aircrafts for hours.
The storm, which struck at evening, brought airport operations to a standstill. According to aviation officials, the average delay stretched beyond one hour, with some passengers reporting delays of over 12 hours. Affected travelers voiced their frustration across social media platforms, sharing harrowing accounts of being stuck without food, information, or support. A passenger on an Air India flight from Srinagar to Mumbai via Delhi recounted that their plane was first diverted to Chandigarh and only returned to Delhi late at night — after which they were still unable to take off. “It’s been nearly 14 hours since we started our journey,” the traveler wrote, “and we’re still at the airport.”
One of the most distressing cases involved a 75-year-old wheelchair-bound woman, who was left waiting in the terminal for over half a day. Her family reported a complete lack of assistance or communication from airline staff, raising questions about passenger welfare and airport readiness during emergencies.
Beyond the airport, the storm wreaked havoc across Delhi-NCR, causing power outages in key areas such as Badli, Bawana, Narela, and Mangolpuri. Numerous roads were blocked due to fallen trees and broken electric poles, leading to massive traffic jams and delayed commutes. Municipal teams were deployed overnight to clear debris and restore services, but many areas remained affected well into Saturday morning.
In response to the escalating weather pattern, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an ‘Orange Alert’ for Delhi, forecasting more thunderstorms, lightning, and wind gusts between 50–60 km/h for the next 24 hours. The alert came just a day after similar weather conditions were observed, indicating a turbulent pre-monsoon spell that could persist throughout April.
IMD officials emphasized that such intense dust storms are not uncommon in northern India during this season but admitted that climate shifts are intensifying their frequency and impact. Citizens have been advised to stay indoors, avoid travel during storm alerts, and keep emergency supplies like flashlights, water, and masks ready.
Meanwhile, airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, and Vistara issued advisories asking travelers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport. Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) assured passengers that operations were gradually being restored but acknowledged that clearing the backlog would take several hours.
The incident has reignited a conversation around airport crisis preparedness. Many stranded passengers questioned the lack of clear communication, food provisions, and basic support during the emergency. Some even demanded accountability from airlines and airport authorities for the emotional and physical toll caused by the disruption.
As the capital battles another round of extreme weather, experts are calling for a more structured response system at airports, better coordination between meteorological and aviation departments, and enhanced safety nets for senior citizens, children, and differently-abled travelers.
Stay tuned newsdailyupdates for more updates.
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