Heavy rain led to waterlogging at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Friday, with passengers seen navigating through waterlogged passages to reach the airport’s entry and arrival areas.
Videos and pictures from the airport showed passengers with their trousers rolled up as they pushed luggage trolleys through the accumulated water.
One passenger told news agency ANI that the situation was unusually severe and said she had been waiting for the water level to recede before heading towards the arrival gates.
Another passenger said a similar situation had occurred around two years ago, but Friday’s rainfall appeared heavier.
Delhi Airport waterlogging after heavy rain
Water accumulated near the airport gates following a spell of heavy rain in the national capital. The waterlogging created difficulties for passengers, particularly those carrying luggage through the affected passages.
Waterlogging was also reported from several other parts of Delhi following the rainfall.
The weather department has warned that further rain could worsen waterlogging and disrupt traffic and public transport in some areas.
IMD issues Yellow Alert for Delhi
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Yellow Alert for Delhi, cautioning residents about possible waterlogging in low-lying areas and underpasses.
According to the IMD’s three-hourly rainfall data, Palam recorded 3.4 mm of rain between 11:30 am and 2:30 pm, while Najafgarh received 0.5 mm between 8:30 am and 11:30 am. Most other monitoring stations recorded no rainfall during those periods.
In its short-range forecast issued at 2:15 pm, the IMD predicted light to moderate rain, thunderstorms and lightning at many places between 2:15 pm and 4:15 pm, with heavy rainfall possible at isolated locations.
Another spell of light to moderate rain, thunderstorms and lightning was forecast between 5 pm and 8 pm, with heavy rain possible at isolated places.
The IMD also warned of moderate rainfall at most places, with heavy rainfall of 50-100 mm at a few locations, along with thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, during the following three hours.
Commuters advised to exercise caution
The IMD advised commuters to check traffic updates before leaving and avoid areas near power lines and exposed electrical wires during thunderstorms.
With further rainfall forecast, commuters travelling to and from Delhi Airport may face delays and waterlogging-related disruptions.
