(LEH) Delhi Airport urged travelers bound for Leh to stay away from the terminals on Wednesday after severe weather and flooding across Jammu and Ladakh forced a full stop to commercial flights on the busy Delhi–Leh sector. Airport officials said the runway at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport remains closed due to persistent heavy rain, with no operations expected to resume before at least 7 am on August 28. The shutdown has triggered widespread flight delays and cancellations across the region and left hundreds of passengers stranded in Leh for a second straight day.
All major carriers serving Leh—Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet—cancelled their Wednesday schedules, and Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) warned that the disruption could extend if conditions do not improve. The situation in Leh is particularly fragile because the airport sits at 3,256 meters above sea level, where abrupt weather shifts can ground aircraft even after rain eases elsewhere. Airlines said they will issue full refunds or rebook travelers at no extra cost once flights can operate again.
Latest disruptions and official advisories
DIAL issued a public advisory stressing that passengers should confirm flight status directly with their airlines before leaving for Delhi Airport.
“Due to bad weather conditions in Leh, flight operations to the destination have been affected. We are working closely with all stakeholders to support passengers and minimize inconvenience,” the airport operator said.
Air India posted an alert on X (formerly Twitter) confirming that all Leh flights for August 27 were cancelled, citing the runway closure in Leh. The airline asked travelers to reach out to its 24×7 customer care lines for help with rebooking or refunds.
Key developments since late Tuesday include:
– Leh Airport closure: Heavy rainfall and ongoing flooding closed the runway, halting operations and stranding travelers for a second day.
– Airline cancellations:
– Air India cancelled flights including AI 2479, AI 2452, and AI 445.
– SpiceJet cancelled SG 8179, SG 127, and SG 125.
– IndiGo grounded multiple services including 6E 2993, 6E 2583, 6E 8821, 6E 2049, 6E 802, and 6E 2101.
– Delhi Airport advisory: DIAL urged passengers to check with their carriers before heading to the airport and said teams are on the ground to help.
Contact details and support:
– Air India customer care: +91 116 932 9333 and +91 116 932 9999.
– IndiGo and SpiceJet: use contact details listed on their official websites.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, carriers moving traffic through high-altitude airports like Leh are expanding standby rosters and ground support during the monsoon, but weather-linked closures can still cascade into all-day flight delays across their networks.
Why the weather is so severe
The weather pattern behind the shutdown is unusually intense. North India has seen 21% above-normal rainfall this monsoon, the highest since 2013. August 2025 alone recorded 21 events of “extremely heavy” rain by August 25, a 50% increase from last year.
Impacts in Jammu and Kashmir:
– Rising rivers have triggered flash floods, landslides, and road blockages.
– Officials reported a landslide near the Vaishno Devi shrine on August 26 that claimed 30 lives.
– Authorities in Kathua and Doda districts described rivers at or above danger levels.
Kathua District Commissioner Rajesh Sharma said, “It has been raining incessantly here for the last 36 hours… the water level has risen in all the rivers, and they are flowing at the danger mark.” He noted precautionary school closures and field teams warning residents.
What passengers should do now
With Leh flights paused until at least 7 am on August 28, travelers should plan for rolling disruptions. Airlines and airport staff in Leh said they are providing food and, where possible, accommodation support for stranded passengers at the airport.
Recommended actions:
1. Check flight status before leaving home.
– Use your airline’s app, website, or call center.
– Do not go to Delhi Airport unless your carrier confirms your flight is operating.
2. Request rebooking or a refund.
– Carriers are offering full refunds or complimentary rescheduling for impacted tickets.
– Air India hotlines: +91 116 932 9333, +91 116 932 9999.
– IndiGo and SpiceJet: see contact numbers on their official sites.
3. Monitor official advisories.
– Follow Delhi Airport and your airline on X and check their websites for real-time updates.
– Leh Airport updates may be intermittent due to local conditions.
4. If stranded in Leh:
– Coordinate with your airline and airport staff for meals, water, and overnight arrangements.
– Keep boarding passes and receipts to document your case.
5. Avoid non-essential travel in affected districts.
– Local authorities continue to report landslide and flood risks; road access may change quickly.
For verified forecasts and warnings, consult the India Meteorological Department: https://imd.gov.in. Officials say thunderstorms and rain are expected to continue in Delhi through August 30, with light rain signals in Srinagar and Jammu, while Leh conditions will be reviewed after 7 am on August 28.
Special considerations for connecting and time-sensitive travelers
- Travelers with onward international connections should be especially careful: a cancelled morning departure to Leh can cause missed long-haul flights or inbound connections into Delhi.
- If your Delhi–Leh segment is on a separate ticket, call your long-haul carrier to discuss options; some airlines allow one-time changes when regional weather prevents reaching a connecting airport.
- Keep confirmation emails and any written advisories for your records.
- Families with infants, seniors, and travelers with medical needs should flag their cases early so airport or airline teams can prioritize assistance.
Travel insurance may cover extra hotel nights or new tickets during weather events. Policies vary, so check your plan’s “weather” or “natural disaster” section and the claims process. Keep invoices for lodging, meals, and transport. If you booked through a travel agent, ask them to lodge the waiver or claim while you work on new flights.
Weather outlook and wider impact
Meteorologists point to an uncommon overlap of western disturbances with monsoon currents, amplifying rainfall intensity and persistence. With the monsoon trough still active and rivers near danger marks, authorities caution that further cancellations and flight delays remain possible.
Operational realities:
– Even after the runway in Leh reopens, crews and aircraft may be out of position; airlines could need several rotations to reset schedules.
– Early morning and late-night services are often affected first, when operating windows are tight.
– Leh’s high altitude and local geography make weather margins narrow: clouds, sudden crosswinds, and temperature swings can quickly affect aircraft performance.
Airlines say they are working with DIAL and Leh Airport to:
– Stage relief staff,
– Improve queue management,
– Speed rebooking once operations resume.
The human toll of the wider flooding remains a priority. Rescue teams monitor landslide-prone slopes and riverbanks in Jammu and Kashmir. In Kathua, the Ravi River breached its banks; in Doda, the Chenab is in spate. Prolonged rains increase the likelihood that road access to remote settlements will remain limited, affecting crews and supplies needed to restart services.
If you must travel soon, pack for delays:
– Prescription medicines, baby supplies, power banks, and copies of key documents.
– Save your airline’s helpline and booking reference in your phone.
– A confirmed rebooking, even a day later, is often better than waiting unassigned at the counter.
– For those with work permits, study visas, or fixed reporting dates in Ladakh, share official letters with your airline; some carriers may prioritize time-bound cases.
DIAL says it will post fresh advisories if conditions change. Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet plan to issue their next updates after the 7 am reassessment in Leh. If winds calm and visibility improves, limited services could restart first, with more flights added as crews rotate back into place. If rain and cloud ceilings remain poor, the hold may extend through Thursday, with longer check-in lines at Delhi Airport.
As the monsoon’s toughest weeks continue, airports and airlines face pressure to strengthen their playbooks for weather shocks—clearer communication, rapid mobile rebooking, and better care for stranded passengers at remote fields. VisaVerge.com reports carriers serving mountain routes are reviewing staffing and equipment needs for the season, including extra de-icing supplies and backup crew transport when roads close.
For now: confirm before you go, expect rolling changes, and follow official channels for updates. Delhi Airport and its partners say they are focused on safety first. With high rivers, wet hillsides, and a shut runway in a high-altitude valley, the path to normal service will depend on the next weather window—and on patience from travelers whose plans hinge on the return of a clear sky over Leh.
This Article in a Nutshell
Heavy monsoon rains closed Leh’s runway, cancelling Delhi–Leh flights; operations unlikely before 7 am August 28. Airlines offer refunds or rebooking; passengers should confirm status and avoid non-essential travel.
