An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Srinagar carrying 227 passengers was caught in a sudden hailstorm mid-air on Wednesday, causing severe turbulence that damaged the aircraft’s nose cone and triggered panic inside the cabin. Viral videos from inside the aircraft show terrified passengers, including children, screaming and crying as the aircraft shook violently.
The flight, operating as IndiGo 6E2142, had departed from Delhi when it was suddenly hit by lightning and hail while flying toward its destination. The unexpected storm prompted the pilot to declare an emergency to Srinagar Air Traffic Control. Despite the ordeal, the plane landed safely at 6:30 PM, and no injuries were reported.
Viral Video Captures Mid-Air Chaos
Footage from inside the aircraft quickly spread across social media, showing flashing lightning through the windows and passengers in visible distress. Screams echoed through the cabin as the turbulence intensified, making for what one traveler later described as a “near-death experience.”
Though IndiGo did not initially confirm any structural damage, viral images showed the radome (nose cone) of the aircraft visibly broken. The airline later acknowledged the incident and said the damaged aircraft will be released post inspection and maintenance.
“IndiGo flight 6E 2142 operating from Delhi to Srinagar encountered a sudden hailstorm en route. The flight and cabin crew followed established protocol and the aircraft landed safely in Srinagar,” the airline said in a statement.
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“The airport team attended to the customers after arrival, prioritizing their wellbeing and comfort,” it added.
Trinamool Congress MPs Also On Board
Among the passengers were several Trinamool Congress MPs, who were en route to Kashmir. They also took to social media to share the harrowing experience, calling it “traumatic” and “unforgettable.”
The incident occurred as Delhi-NCR faced a severe weather reversal late Wednesday evening. Following a scorching day where the heat index soared to 50.2°C, a massive dust storm, rain, and hail lashed the capital and adjoining regions.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that wind speeds reached 79 kmph, and Safdarjung recorded 12.2 mm of rainfall between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM. The IMD attributed the intense storm to a cyclonic circulation over Haryana, aided by moisture inflow from both the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
Infrastructure and Travel Disruptions
The impact on infrastructure was substantial:
- Trees uprooted, hoardings collapsed, and traffic came to a standstill across multiple parts of Delhi.
- The Nehru Vihar Bridge suffered storm-related damage.
- Delhi Metro’s Yellow Line was severely disrupted, stranding passengers for hours.
- Delhi airport operations were hit, prompting airlines to issue weather advisories and warn of flight delays and cancellations.
