Rains Paralyze Delhi: One Fatality as Canopy Collapses at Airport’s Terminal 1
Early morning rains brought the national capital of Delhi to a standstill, with severe disruptions impacting various aspects of daily life. The deluge resulted in the suspension of flight operations at Terminal 1 of the airport until further notice, leaving thousands of commuters stranded on their way to work, school, or important appointments. Key infrastructure, including the Pragati Maidan tunnel, was closed, and reports of flooding emerged from numerous areas across the city, including upscale neighborhoods like Hauz Khas, South Extension, and Mayur Vihar. The India Meteorological Department recorded significant rainfall, with 228.1 mm at Safdarjung, 192.8 mm at Lodhi Road, 150.4 mm at Ridge, 106.6 mm at Palam, and 66.3 mm at Ayanagar over a span of 20 to 30 hours. The monsoon officially arrived, as per the IMD, with the downpour commencing around 3 am.
The situation at Terminal 1 turned tragic when a canopy at the departure area collapsed around 5 am, resulting in the death of one individual and injuries to several others. The collapse also caused significant damage to parked cars in the pick-up and drop-off area. A thorough search operation was conducted to ensure no one was trapped in the damaged vehicles, and the injured were transported to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram.
The Civil Aviation Ministry announced the closure of Terminal 1 flights until further notice, with alternative arrangements being made. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu stated he was personally monitoring the situation and had instructed airlines to assist affected passengers. Terminal 1, which serves domestic flights operated by IndiGo and SpiceJet, experienced significant disruptions, leading to flight cancellations and network-wide operational impacts.
In another incident, several laborers were feared trapped when an under-construction wall in Vasant Vihar collapsed. Rescue operations were promptly initiated by teams from the NDRF, DDMA, civic agencies, fire services, and police. An emergency meeting was convened by the Delhi government to assess the situation, with attendance from all cabinet ministers and senior officials. The heavy rains also caused widespread power outages in areas such as Dwarka and Jangpura and necessitated the closure of key routes like the Minto Road and Azad Market underpasses.
Residents in various parts of the city were seen navigating through waist-deep water, and a video circulated showing BJP Councillor Ravinder Singh Negi rowing a boat on a flooded street, criticizing the Delhi government for inadequate pre-monsoon drain cleaning. The BJP also shared images of water entering the residence of Delhi minister Atishi, who was on an indefinite fast protesting water scarcity in the city. Delhi Traffic Police issued advisories for several roads affected by waterlogging, suggesting alternative routes to avoid traffic jams.
Additionally, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation closed entry and exit gates at Yashobhoomi Sector 25 Dwarka and suspended shuttle services from Delhi Aerocity Metro station to Terminal 1-IGI Airport. Despite earlier assurances from Delhi Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj about preventing Yamuna flooding, the city’s infrastructure struggled to cope with the heavy rains, leading to widespread disruption and damage.
Author:- Apoorva Arora