A massive dust storm brought Delhi-NCR to a standstill on Friday evening, severely disrupting flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport and affecting daily life across the region. With over 205 flights delayed and more than 50 flights diverted, passengers experienced night-long delays, mounting frustration, and widespread confusion. The weather disturbance not only crippled air traffic but also triggered power outages, tree falls, and traffic snarls in several parts of the capital.
The situation at Delhi Airport quickly escalated into chaos as gusty winds and poor visibility grounded flights for hours. Passengers, some of whom were elderly or traveling with families, were stranded inside aircrafts and terminals with little to no communication from airlines. According to sources, the average departure delay stretched over one hour, with many waiting through the night. A passenger on an Air India flight from Srinagar to Mumbai via Delhi shared their ordeal, saying the flight was first diverted to Chandigarh, then flown back to Delhi, only to face further delays without clear instructions. “We sat inside the plane for four hours, then were told to deboard and go through security again. It’s now 8 AM and we’re still stuck,” the passenger said. A 75-year-old wheelchair-bound woman also reported being stranded for over 12 hours at the airport.
The storm’s impact was not limited to aviation. Several localities in Delhi-NCR including Narela, Badli, Bawana, and Mangolpuri experienced electricity outages as fallen trees and dust-laden winds damaged power lines. Commuters reported blocked roads and long traffic jams due to debris and uprooted trees in areas like Rohini, Pitampura, and parts of West Delhi. Emergency response teams worked overnight to restore power and clear roads, but many areas continued to report slow-moving traffic and low visibility the next morning.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) responded by issuing an ‘orange’ alert for Delhi, warning residents of thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds reaching up to 60 km/h for the next 24 hours. This came just a day after parts of Delhi had already seen light rainfall and dust activity. IMD officials noted that this is part of a broader pattern of unpredictable pre-monsoon weather, which is expected to continue through the month of April. “We advise residents to stay indoors, especially during peak wind hours. These sudden dust storms are typical during this season, but their intensity seems to be increasing due to changing weather patterns,” said an IMD spokesperson.
Airlines such as IndiGo, Vistara, and Air India issued public advisories urging passengers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport. Airport authorities said that while operations were slowly resuming, the backlog of delayed flights would take hours to clear completely. The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) is coordinating with airlines and the air traffic control tower to stabilize departures and arrivals as quickly as possible.
The incident also reignited public concern over the lack of crisis preparedness and passenger communication at one of the busiest airports in Asia. Stranded passengers took to social media, criticizing the poor response from airport staff and airlines, especially for those with special needs or elderly family members. “It’s not just about delays — it’s about how poorly everything was handled. No food, no help, no updates,” one user posted on X.
The storm, which struck suddenly in evening, brought down visibility levels to dangerous lows, forcing pilots to delay takeoffs and reroute incoming flights. Ground staff struggled to manage growing queues of passengers, and baggage systems were reportedly overwhelmed due to the high number of flight cancellations and diversions.
As of Saturday morning, restoration work continued in affected parts of Delhi-NCR. Power utility services, municipal corporations, and traffic police are working in tandem to bring normalcy back to residential and commercial areas. Weather agencies have advised residents to keep emergency supplies ready, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay updated via official alerts.
Experts say that dust storms of this magnitude, especially during the pre-monsoon period, may become more frequent due to rising surface temperatures, unseasonal wind patterns, and urban heat island effects. The storm serves as a stark reminder that climate unpredictability and lack of disaster readiness remain major concerns in metropolitan cities like Delhi.
Stay tuned to ibizznews for further updates.
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