Flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport faced major disruption on Friday evening as a severe dust storm swept across the national capital and nearby regions. The weather disturbance led to the diversion of more than 15 flights.
Confirming the impact on operations, airport operator DIAL posted on X, stating, “Due to inclement weather conditions in Delhi, some of the flights at Delhi Airport are impacted. Passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight updates.”
IndiGo and Air India issue advisoriesDelhi Dust Storm Disrupts Flights; IMD Issues Red Alert Amid Severe Weather
Low-cost carrier IndiGo informed that both Delhi and Jaipur were experiencing a dust storm, which had affected takeoffs and landings. The airline warned of potential delays and diversions caused by air traffic congestion.
Air India also alerted its passengers, citing heavy thunderstorms and gusty winds that disrupted flight operations across Northern India. In a travel advisory, the airline stated, “We are closely monitoring the situation and are doing our best to minimise the disruption. We advise our guests to check the latest status of their flights at https://airindia.com/in/en/manage/flight-status.html before heading to the airport.”
IMD raises red alert for Delhi-NCR
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), warning residents of adverse weather conditions expected to persist for several hours.
According to IMD forecasts, the city is likely to witness light rain and a generally cloudy sky on April 12, following which clear skies are expected to return for the next few days.
Second dust storm in a week hits Delhi-NCR
This is the second dust storm to strike Delhi and nearby areas including Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram in a week. Gusty winds caused temporary power outages in several locations, although no serious damage has been reported.
In some parts of the city, residents experienced light rainfall along with thunderstorms—conditions earlier predicted by the weather department following a prolonged heatwave.
Air quality takes a hit
The intense dust storm worsened Delhi’s air quality, which dipped to the “poor” category during the day. However, conditions slightly improved by the evening. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI at Rohini station stood at 150 at 8 pm, classifying it as “moderate.”
As the dust settles, weather officials expect gradual improvement in visibility and air quality, especially after the predicted rain on April 12.
