Delhi Airport Hit By Rain Chaos, Terminal 1 Overhang Crashes Down; Official Says ‘No Structural Compromise’
Heavy rain and thunderstorms caused a section of Terminal 1's external overhang at Delhi Airport to collapse, briefly disrupting operations. DIAL stated the collapse was due to water pressure, not structural compromise.
A portion of the roof at Terminal 1 of Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport reportedly collapsed early Sunday following a spell of heavy rain and thunderstorms. The incident, which occurred amid a severe weather episode across Delhi-NCR, led to a brief disruption in airport operations.
Visuals from the scene that surfaced on social media showed a significant section of the terminal’s external overhang giving way and crashing onto the pavement, with water gushing in all directions.
इसे कोई भ्रस्टाचार नहीं कहेगा सिर्फ विकास कहेगा !
— Sakshi (@ShadowSakshi) May 25, 2025
Rains and Delhi Airport ! pic.twitter.com/FIUQwJetsm
In a statement issued by the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a spokesperson told news agency ANI, “Delhi experienced an intense thunderstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall during the intervening night of May 24th, 2025. This sudden and concentrated downpour led to temporary water accumulation in and around IGI Airport, briefly impacting operations.”
The spokesperson added, “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. Swift action was taken by the ground teams to restore normal conditions, ensuring safety and continuity of operations with minimal disruption.”
Heavy Rainfall, Thunderstorms Affect Delhi Airport Region Among Other Areas
Delhi-NCR witnessed heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds overnight, resulting in widespread waterlogging, fallen trees, traffic congestion, and flight delays. Areas such as Minto Road, the Delhi Airport region, and Moti Bagh were severely affected, causing inconvenience to commuters, news agency IANS reported.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a red alert was issued for Delhi and nearby regions on Saturday, warning of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and wind speeds between 40–60 kmph. The alert was based on the Nowcast model, which monitors real-time weather developments.
The IMD advised residents to avoid open spaces, stay away from water bodies, not take shelter under trees, and remain cautious around weak structures.
Flight operations were briefly impacted. IndiGo Airlines posted on X (formerly Twitter) at 3:59 a.m. that poor weather had temporarily affected flight schedules. The airline later reported that normal operations resumed by around 6 a.m.
In a separate advisory, Delhi Airport authorities confirmed, “Due to adverse weather conditions last night, some flights have been impacted. Passengers are advised to check their flight status regularly and stay in touch with airline staff for updates. Our on-ground teams are diligently working with all stakeholders to ensure a seamless and efficient passenger experience.”
In neighbouring Ghaziabad, residents experienced relief from the heat after a night of heavy rain and strong winds. However, areas like Indirapuram and Swarn Jayanti Park continued to face waterlogging. Power supply disruptions were also reported across several localities in Delhi-NCR.
This weather activity coincides with the early onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala, which began on May 23 — almost a week ahead of its typical June 1 onset. According to the IMD, this is the earliest arrival of the monsoon since 2009. The monsoon usually covers the entire country by July 8 and begins retreating from northwest India around September 17.
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