Delhi Airport Flooded by Heavy Rain, Passengers Stranded
Heavy rainfall on September 4 caused severe waterlogging on approach roads to Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, stranding passengers for up to
Heavy rainfall led to severe waterlogging along the approach roads and forecourts of Terminals 2 and 3 at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Friday, September 4. Passengers were left stranded, with one traveler reporting being stuck for about half an hour.
The Delhi Airport stated that the accumulated water was cleared within a short time. The flooding, however, prompted immediate criticism of the airport's drainage and construction planning from observers and those caught in the deluge.
Passenger and Worker Accounts
A passenger named Mansi told the ANI news agency she had never witnessed such severe waterlogging at the airport. "There is so much water," she said. "I've been standing here for about half an hour now."
Govinda Pandey, who has worked at the airport for three years, also told ANI he had never seen water accumulate like that before. He suggested a blocked sewer might be the cause and warned the incident could damage the airport's image. Pandey called for government attention and strict action to prevent a recurrence.
Social Media Criticism
Reactions on social media highlighted fears over safety and infrastructure failures. One person pointed to the danger of a potential live wire short circuit in the water. Others criticized the apparent lack of proper slope, drainage, and planning for rain at a major international hub.
One comment sarcastically referred to the facility as the "Indira Gandhi international sea port." Another user suggested that if such flooding could happen in the national capital, it indicated a dire situation across the country.
Rainfall Measurements
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) provided rainfall measurements for various stations in Delhi for the period between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm on September 4. The data shows significant local variation.
| Weather Station | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| Palam | 75.6 |
| Safdarjung | 32.6 |
| Lodhi Road | 34.6 |
| Ridge | 20 |
| Ayanagar | 12 |
Palam, near the airport, recorded the highest rainfall at 75.6 mm. The underpass connecting the airport to the Vasant Kunj area was reported to be completely waterlogged. Waterlogging also affected some parts of Lutyens' Delhi, including Connaught Place.
The airport's brief statement attributed the waterlogging to the heavy rainfall and confirmed the water was cleared quickly. The event nonetheless exposed vulnerabilities in urban drainage during intense monsoon downpours.
