Heavy rainfall persisting over the past few days in the national capital Delhi has thrown daily life and transport networks completely out of gear. While the continuous downpour has brought much-needed respite from the intense heat, it has triggered severe waterlogging in low-lying areas and led to massive traffic congestion across major roadways. Commuters are spending hours traveling even short distances. Beyond road traffic, the incessant rains have also impacted air travel operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport, causing notable delays for several flights due to adverse weather conditions.
IndiGo Issues Official Passenger Advisory
In response to the deteriorating weather conditions, IndiGo, India's largest airline, issued a formal travel advisory on Friday to inform passengers about operational disruptions. The carrier confirmed that flight schedules at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport have been significantly affected by the ongoing rains.
According to the airline, passengers waiting inside the airport terminal building are experiencing extended wait times. Furthermore, passengers who have already completed boarding and are inside the aircraft are also facing delays prior to take-off as air traffic control manages runway operations under reduced visibility. Addressing travelers in a post on X, the airline acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the adverse weather conditions.
Travelers Advised to Plan Ahead and Depart Early
To minimize disruption and avoid missing flights, IndiGo has strongly recommended that passengers check their current flight status via the official company website or mobile app before leaving their residences. Checking real-time flight updates enables travelers to adjust their departure plans accordingly.
Additionally, the airline requested all departing passengers to leave for the airport much earlier than usual. Heavy rainfall has led to severe gridlocks across various parts of Delhi, increasing travel time to the airport significantly. IndiGo emphasized that additional time might also be required to complete airport check-in and security protocols due to crowd congestion inside the terminal.
IMD Forecast for Saturday and Sunday
The current spell of wet weather began in Delhi on Wednesday of this week and has continued unabated. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the precipitation pattern is expected to continue through the upcoming weekend.
The IMD forecast indicates that overcast conditions will prevail over Delhi on August 8 and August 9, with light rainfall anticipated across several parts of the capital. Temperature predictions by the weather agency place the maximum temperature at approximately 34°C and the minimum temperature around 23°C on both Saturday and Sunday. Travelers planning air or road journeys over the weekend are advised to remain cautious of continued delays.
