- An IMD Red Alert warned of intense rain, lightning and gusty winds across Delhi on Friday, September 4, 2026.
- Heavy weather diverted nine flights from Delhi Airport, with some sent to Jaipur, Lucknow and Ahmedabad.
- Passengers were told to check airline status before leaving, as flooded roads slowed access to IGI Airport.
Passengers traveling through IGI Airport should check their flight status before leaving on Saturday after heavy rain diverted flights and flooded roads around the terminals. The disruption followed an IMD Red Alert issued Friday, September 4, 2026, for intense rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds.
Nine flights changed course between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm Friday. Water also collected on approach roads and in terminal forecourts.
Free toolB1/B2 Tourist Visa Stay Calculator online
The trip may take longer than usual. Traffic slowed around the airport as rainwater accumulated.
The airport operator said flight operations had been affected by the weather and urged travelers to contact their airlines for current information.
“Due to inclement weather conditions in Delhi, flight operations are impacted at Delhi Airport. Our on-ground teams are diligently working with all stakeholders to ensure a seamless and efficient passenger experience. For the latest flight information, passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines.”
Rain bands and flooded approaches can change the trip quickly
The warning covered all 11 revenue districts of Delhi. It called for 50-100 mm of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning.
Winds were forecast at 40-50 kmph, with gusts reaching 60 kmph. Those conditions can affect both road access and aircraft operations.
Water accumulated near the Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 approach areas. Reports also described passengers wading through water near terminal zones.
Travelers should avoid low-lying roads and underpasses when possible. Leave earlier than normal, since waterlogging can slow the final approach to the airport.
Friday’s diversions show how fast operations shifted
The nine diverted flights included four sent to Jaipur, four to Lucknow and one to Ahmedabad. A separate account put the total at 11 flights between 3.30 pm and 5 pm.
| Diversion period | Flights diverted | Destinations reported |
|---|---|---|
| 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm | 9 | Jaipur, Lucknow and Ahmedabad |
| 3.30 pm to 5 pm | 11 | Destinations not specified |
The different counts reflect separate reporting periods. Flight movements can change while storms pass through the area.
Airlines are telling passengers to verify before starting the journey
IndiGo advised passengers to check flight status on its website or app before leaving. The airline also warned that traffic could be slower than usual and asked travelers to allow extra time.
Air India warned that flights to and from Delhi might be affected by adverse weather conditions. It also told passengers to confirm their status before traveling.
Check again close to departure. Conditions and operations changed through Friday afternoon and evening.
The forecast included two more periods of rain and lightning
The weather office forecast light to moderate rain, thunderstorms and lightning at many places between 2.15 p.m. and 4.15 p.m., with heavy rain at isolated locations. It later predicted another spell between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
The Friday readings were uneven. Palam recorded 3.4 mm of rain between 11.30 am and 2.30 pm, while Najafgarh recorded 0.5 mm between 8.30 am and 11.30 am.
Another spell of heavy rain was forecast across the Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi region on Saturday, September 5, 2026. The alert followed a short but intense burst that quickly flooded parts of the capital.
