Severe Dust Storm Disrupts Flights in Delhi, Causes Panic and Major Delays

A severe weather event in the form of a powerful dust storm disrupted flights in Delhi on Friday evening, leading to widespread chaos, major delays, and even aborted landings. As the dust storm disrupts flights, over 350 scheduled operations at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport faced delays, leaving thousands of passengers stranded or redirected.

This significant disruption serves as a stark reminder of how vulnerable air travel remains to sudden weather changes, especially in regions prone to seasonal storms.

IndiGo Flight Aborts Landing Mid-Air as Dust Storm Disrupts Flights

One of the most dramatic moments occurred when an IndiGo flight from Dehradun to Delhi was forced to abort its landing. The aircraft was reportedly descending for its final approach when pilots lost visibility due to the intense dust particles swirling across the runway area.

Air Traffic Control (ATC) advised the crew to pull back and circle the city until visibility improved. After hovering for nearly 45 minutes, the flight was safely diverted to Jaipur.

According to aviation experts, visibility during the storm dropped well below minimum standards for safe landings. The airline confirmed that all passengers were safe and arrangements were being made to transfer them to Delhi via alternative means.

Airlines and Passengers Grapple as Dust Storm Disrupts Flights

The cascading effects of the storm were felt across both domestic and international terminals. More than 350 flights were delayed, with at least 15 incoming flights diverted to nearby airports including Jaipur, Lucknow, and Amritsar.

Passengers took to social media to express frustration, with many complaining of inadequate updates and lack of basic facilities while stranded at the airport. Long queues formed at airline counters as travelers sought clarity on revised departure times.

Airport officials confirmed that operations slowed down significantly after the dust storm hit at around 7:30 PM. Ground staff were directed to halt services temporarily due to low visibility and safety concerns.

Meteorologists Issue Warning as Dust Storm Disrupts Flights in Delhi

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier issued an alert for strong winds and dust storms in and around the Delhi-NCR region. Wind speeds during the storm reached up to 60 km/h, carrying dense dust from the western plains into the city.

The sudden drop in air quality also raised health concerns for commuters and residents, especially those with respiratory conditions. Doctors have advised limiting outdoor exposure for the next 48 hours.

Authorities are urging airlines to stay in close coordination with ATC and meteorological services to avoid further disruption as similar conditions are predicted over the weekend.

Air Travel Disrupted Again as Dust Storm Disrupts Flights in Capital

This isn’t the first time a dust storm disrupts flights in Delhi. The pre-monsoon season often sees such incidents, but the severity of this particular storm stands out due to the scale of disruption it caused in a matter of hours.

Airline officials are now pressing for better forecasting tools and real-time communication protocols between weather agencies and airport authorities to prevent such last-minute chaos in the future.

The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) stated it is reviewing its emergency response strategies to better manage sudden environmental challenges like Friday’s storm.

Precautionary Measures Advised as Dust Storm Disrupts Flights

Travelers planning to fly in or out of Delhi in the coming days are advised to check flight statuses frequently, arrive early at the airport, and stay updated through official airline communication channels.

Health experts also recommend using N95 masks, air purifiers, and avoiding prolonged outdoor activity, especially for children and the elderly, as dust levels remain elevated.

With summer intensifying across North India, more such weather fluctuations are expected in the weeks ahead.