1 dead, flight ops hit after portion of roof collapses at Delhi airport’s Terminal 1 amid heavy rains

“Due to heavy rain since early this morning, a portion of the canopy at the old Departure forecourt of Delhi Airport’s Terminal 1 collapsed around 5 am. There are injuries reported, and emergency personnel are working to provide all necessary assistance and medical aid to those affected,” a Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) spokesperson said.

He added that all departures from Terminal 1 are temporarily suspended, and check-in counters are also closed as a safety measure,

One person is believed to be trapped under the collapsed roof, reported PTI, citing fire department officials.

The Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjar took to X to inform that he was personally monitoring the roof collapse incident at T1. “First responders are working at site. Also advised the airlines to assist all affected passengers at T1. The injured have been evacuated to hospital. Rescue operations are still ongoing,” he wrote in the post.

Delhi witnesses intense rainfall, IMD issues advisory

Heavy rains lashed Delhi and adjoining areas of NCR on Friday morning, with the India Meteorological Department saying that a moderate to intense spell of rain is likely to continue in Delhi for the next couple of hours. Several areas of the capital were left waterlogged amid incessant showers. The total rainfall till 0830 hrs IST  was recorded at 153.7 mm over Safdarjung and 93 mm over Palam airport.

Owing to the intense spells of rain, IMD officials issued an advisory to look out for slippers roads, low visibility, traffic disruption and localized waterlogging in low lying areas. It warned against visiting areas with waterlogging, urge to check traffic congestion along routes and be updated with weather warning.

Flight departures impacted till 2 PM; IndiGo, SpiceJet issue statements 

Departures from terminal 1 were suspended till 2 pm, reported PTI, citing sources.  The sources added that the airport operator is looking to temporarily shift operations from T1 to T2 and T3.

However, passengers who were already inside the terminal boarded their flights.

In a statement, an IndiGo spokesperson said flight operations are impacted due to structural damage at the terminal. “This has led to flight cancellations in Delhi as passengers are not able to enter the terminal. Passengers already inside the terminal will be able to board their planned flights, but those with flights later in the day will be offered alternatives,” the airline said in a statement.

“Customers are advised to keep a track of and confirm their flight status before leaving for the airport,” it said.

SpiceJet also said in a post on X that flights have been cancelled as T1 will remain partially closed for operations until further notice.