Heavy rain swept across Delhi-NCR on Saturday, September 5, putting weekend travel plans at risk as IndiGo and Air India warned passengers of possible weather-related flight disruptions at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.
IndiGo said bad weather had affected flight schedules and advised travellers to check their flight status before leaving and allow extra time because road conditions could slow their journey. Air India similarly cautioned that operations to and from Delhi could be affected.
However, Delhi Airport said its flight operations were normal as of its latest Saturday morning advisory, while teams were working to manage the weather-related impact. The caution follows Friday’s severe spell, when at least nine flights and 11 according to later reports were diverted, while more than 400 flights were delayed.
Rain Puts Weekend Flyers On Alert
The latest downpour comes after a particularly intense Friday, when thunderstorms, strong winds and heavy rain disrupted Delhi-NCR and caused waterlogging around IGI Airport. IndiGo said, “Bad weather over Delhi has impacted flight schedules,” adding that it was monitoring conditions and working to get passengers to their destinations safely.
The airline urged travellers to check real-time flight updates through its website or app before leaving for the airport and to allow additional travel time. Air India issued a similar advisory, saying adverse weather could affect flights to and from Delhi and asking passengers to check their latest flight status before travelling.
The warnings are not, however, an indication that every flight has been cancelled or that the airport has shut. Delhi Airport said operations remained normal in its latest advisory, while its ground teams continued working with other stakeholders to keep passenger movement smooth.
Friday’s Downpour Triggered Disruptions
The scale of Friday’s weather explains why airlines are urging caution even as the airport reports normal operations. Heavy rain caused water accumulation on the airport approach road and around the forecourt, with reports of waterlogging near Terminal 3.
Nine flights were diverted between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm, with four sent to Jaipur, four to Lucknow and one to Ahmedabad, according to officials cited by India Today and NDTV Profit. A later Indian Express report put the number of diversions at 11, including flights redirected to Chandigarh.
More than 400 flights were delayed, according to flight-tracking data cited by NDTV Profit. The weather was unusually intense: Palam recorded around 72–76 mm of rain in three hours, depending on the observation period and source, while a squall at the airport brought winds of up to 76 kmph and visibility fell to around 600 metres.
On Saturday, the disruption risk extended beyond the airport itself, with waterlogging and traffic problems reported in parts of Delhi and Gurugram. Gurugram’s District Disaster Management Authority advised residents to avoid non-essential travel and stay away from waterlogged areas following an IMD warning for heavy rain and thunderstorms.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Weather-related travel disruption is frustrating, particularly for passengers with weekend plans, connecting flights, family commitments or time-sensitive journeys. But the immediate priority should remain safety rather than simply keeping schedules on time.
Airlines and airport authorities have a responsibility to communicate clearly and promptly, while passengers can help by checking live updates, allowing extra time and avoiding unnecessary risks on waterlogged roads. At the same time, repeated flooding around major transport infrastructure should prompt a larger conversation about drainage, urban planning and climate-resilient infrastructure.
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