New Delhi: Heavy rainfall that struck parts of Delhi on Sunday morning led to partial damage at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport’s Terminal 1. The downpour caused water to tear through a membrane shade, resulting in a partial collapse — an incident that was captured on video and widely circulated on social media.
The video footage shows people standing under a covered area near parked cars when the intensity of the rain increases. The membrane shade over the area collapses partially, unleashing a gush of water that drenches the vehicles and flows towards the crowd, forcing them to move away for safety.
This morning: The capital city, Delhi, was thrown into chaos by heavy rainfall. The impact extended to Delhi Airport, which was also affected by the water havoc. https://t.co/KHWeDXLwyi pic.twitter.com/MyQ7qc8s5c
— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) May 25, 2025
Responding to the incident, a spokesperson for the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) told ANI, “Delhi experienced an intense thunderstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall during the intervening night of May 24th, 2025. This sudden and concentrated downpour led to temporary water accumulation in and around IGI Airport, briefly impacting operations…A section of the external tensile fabric at the T1 Arrival forecourt adjusted under pressure, thereby aiding in water dispersal. There was no structural compromise or impact to other parts of the terminal. Swift action was taken by the ground teams to restore normal conditions, ensuring safety and continuity of operations with minimal disruption.”
According to a report by News18, the existing membrane shade structure was installed after a fatal incident last year in which the earlier roofing collapsed due to heavy rain. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the latest occurrence.
As heavy showers continued to batter the national capital since Saturday night, IGI Airport issued a travel advisory for flyers: “Due to adverse weather conditions last night, some flights have been impacted. Passengers are advised to check their flight status regularly and stay in touch with airline staff for updates.”
News agency PTI, citing sources, reported that 49 flights — including 17 international services — were diverted due to bad weather. Terminal 3 also experienced waterlogging, adding to the operational challenges. Flight-tracking service Flightradar24.com revealed that nearly 180 flights were delayed, and several others cancelled due to the inclement weather conditions.
