New Delhi: Intense rainfall combined with strong gusts and thunderstorms swept across the national capital, leading to significant disruptions. One of the alarming incidents occurred at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, where a section of the canopy at Terminal 1 collapsed under the pressure of heavy downpour.
Footage of the incident quickly circulated online, capturing the moment the water-laden canopy gave way. The video shows rainwater pooling in the center of the structure, eventually overwhelming its capacity. As the fabric tore open, water gushed down, soaking nearby passengers.
The sudden downpour had already impacted flight schedules and caused widespread waterlogging in various parts of the city. The India Meteorological Department had issued a red alert in anticipation of severe weather conditions.
In response to the incident, the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) attributed the collapse to the adverse weather. “As a part of the design’s natural response to extreme conditions and to prevent excessive water retention, a section of the external tensile fabric at the T1 Arrival forecourt adjusted under pressure, thereby aiding in water dispersal. There was no structural compromise or impact to other parts of the terminal,” DIAL said in a statement.
The airport authority emphasized that swift action by ground personnel ensured the area was quickly secured, with minimal disruption to services. “Swift action was taken by the ground teams to restore normal conditions, ensuring safety and continuity of operations with minimal disruption,” the statement added.
The event echoed a similar tragedy from June last year, when a portion of the roof at Terminal 1 collapsed during heavy rain, resulting in one fatality and injuries to five others. That incident had led to flight cancellations and a temporary reassignment of services to other terminals.
This recent occurrence also sparked political criticism. The Kerala Congress shared a video of the incident online, highlighting the design flaw in the canopy’s bowl-like structure that allowed water to accumulate. Their post on X sarcastically read: “Vikas (development) overflows in Delhi Airport after a drizzle.”