In a tragic incident this morning, a portion of the roof at Delhi Airport’s Terminal-1 (T1) collapsed amid heavy rain, resulting in one fatality and injuries to six others.
The collapse occurred over the pick-up and drop-off area, damaging four cars. Terminal 1 handles only domestic flights for airlines IndiGo and SpiceJet. All departures from this terminal have been temporarily suspended, according to the civil aviation ministry.
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“Heavy rain in the early morning today has resulted in the collapse of the canopy of Delhi airport Terminal 1. As a result of which, flights to and from Terminal 1 have been closed till further notice. Alternate arrangements are being made for smooth operation of the flights,” the ministry posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Heavy rain in early morning today has resulted in the collapse of the canopy of #DelhiAirport Terminal 1. As a result of which flights to & from Terminal 1 have been closed till further notice. Alternate arrangements are being made for smooth operation of the flights.
— MoCA_GoI (@MoCA_GoI) June 28, 2024
Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu visited the site to inspect the damage and oversee the rescue efforts. “This is a very serious incident,” he remarked, announcing a compensation of Rs 20 lakh for the victim’s family and Rs 3 lakh each for those injured. He also stated that operations would be temporarily shifted to Terminal 2 and Terminal 3.
Inspecting the T1 Terminal and reviewing with the officials.
All required rescue operations are being conducted at the terminal pic.twitter.com/6ck4ce39RY— Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) June 28, 2024
The incident was reported to the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) around 5:30 am, prompting a swift rescue operation. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as rescuers pulled a man from a car crushed by an iron beam.
IndiGo and SpiceJet, the primary airlines operating out of T1, have cancelled flights until further notice. An IndiGo spokesperson said, “Passengers already inside the terminal will be able to board their planned flights, but those with flights later in the day will be offered alternatives.” SpiceJet echoed similar disruptions, advising passengers to monitor their social media channels for updates.
Also Read: After blazing heat, rain lashes Delhi; several pockets go under water
The airport, which sees about 1,400 flight movements daily, now faces significant operational challenges. The collapsed canopy, inaugurated in 2009, had provided shelter to passengers for over a decade.
Heavy rainfall has inundated Delhi for the second consecutive day, causing widespread waterlogging and traffic disruptions. The Safdarjung Observatory, the city’s primary weather station, recorded 154 mm of rainfall between yesterday and this morning. Visuals shared by ANI on X showed flooded roads and vehicles submerged, including a car at Minto Road.
The downpour brought some relief from the heat, bringing the temperature down to 35.4 degrees Celsius on Thursday, but also led to severe logistical issues across the capital. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as they work to restore normalcy.
