Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport were significantly impacted on Sunday afternoon due to a severe dust storm that swept across the city and the National Capital Region (NCR).
Between 4:00 PM and 6:10 PM, at least 14 inbound flights were diverted to alternative airports, including Jaipur, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Ahmedabad, Dehradun, and Lucknow, as visibility plummeted and wind speeds surged. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported gusts reaching up to 80 km/h during the storm. The storm, characterized by intense dust and light rainfall, led to a temporary suspension of flight operations at IGI Airport. In response, the airport authorities advised passengers to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight updates. An official statement from the Delhi Airport indicated that on-ground teams were working diligently with all stakeholders to ensure a seamless and efficient passenger experience.
The adverse weather conditions also affected other parts of Delhi and NCR, including Noida, Greater Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Manesar. Residents shared videos on social media depicting trees swaying vigorously in the strong winds, highlighting the severity of the storm. This incident underscores the challenges faced by urban infrastructure in adapting to increasingly erratic weather patterns. The frequency and intensity of such storms have been on the rise, raising concerns about the resilience of airport operations and the broader transportation network in Delhi. Experts suggest that enhancing weather forecasting capabilities and investing in infrastructure improvements are crucial to mitigating the impact of such events in the future.
As the city braces for more unpredictable weather, authorities are urged to consider long-term strategies to bolster the resilience of critical infrastructure, ensuring the safety and convenience of passengers and residents alike.
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