Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Murlidhar Mohol, announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh for the deceased and Rs 3 lakh for the injured.
On the morning of June 28, heavy rainfall at Delhi Airport led to the collapse of part of the Terminal 1 roof, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to six others.
Flight Disruptions and Cancellations
An airport spokesperson announced that departures from Terminal 1 were halted until 2 pm, with check-in counters closed for safety.
IndiGo and SpiceJet Cancel Flights
IndiGo Airlines canceled all flights to and from Terminal 1 due to the partial closure caused by the heavy rains. Passengers already inside the terminal were allowed to board their flights, while others were offered alternatives. The airline advised customers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
SpiceJet also canceled flights, stating on X (formerly Twitter) that Terminal 1 would remain partially closed. Flights scheduled for Terminal 1 were reallocated, with SpiceJet flights moved to Terminal 3 and IndiGo flights distributed between Terminals 2 and 3.
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Metro Station Closures
Heavy rainfall led to the closure of entry and exit points at the Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25 Metro station, as announced by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on X. Additionally, the shuttle service from Aerocity Metro station to Terminal 1-IGI Airport was suspended until further notice.
Government Compensation and Investigation
Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Murlidhar Mohol, announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh for the deceased and Rs 3 lakh for the injured. He also ordered the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to conduct a high-level inquiry into the incident. Airlines operating from Terminal 1 were directed to issue refunds or provide alternative flights for affected passengers. Furthermore, all other airports will undergo detailed structural inspections.
Details of the Incident
The roof collapse, occurring around 5:30 a.m., caused significant damage to vehicles, including cabs. Delhi Fire Services (DFS) launched a search operation to ensure no one was trapped. The collapse involved the roof sheet and support beams, damaging cars in the pick-up and drop-off area at Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Terminal 1 Shutdown
Delhi Airport released a statement confirming the roof collapse at the old Departure forecourt canopy due to heavy rain. The statement acknowledged the injuries and assured that emergency personnel were providing assistance and medical aid. Departures from Terminal 1 were temporarily suspended, and check-in counters closed as a safety measure.
Civil Aviation Minister’s Response
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu stated on X that he was personally overseeing the situation, with the injured transported to hospitals. He advised airlines to assist affected passengers and mentioned that rescue operations were ongoing.
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Heavy Rainfall in Delhi-NCR
Delhi experienced heavy rainfall for the second consecutive day, causing waterlogging in various parts of the city and significant disruptions in the National Capital Region, including Noida and Gurugram. Authorities remained on high alert, managing the situation and providing aid to residents. The weather department forecast continued rainfall, urging people to stay indoors and avoid waterlogged areas.
News agency ANI shared visuals of inundated roads and traffic jams in parts of Delhi, with one car submerged at the Minto Road bridge.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted generally cloudy skies with varying intensities of rain and gusty winds for the next seven days in Delhi. Temperatures on June 29 were expected to range between 28°C and 36°C, with moderate rain or thunderstorms and winds of 30-40 km/h.