A severe dust storm swept through Delhi, causing widespread disruptions at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The extreme weather conditions led to significant flight delays and diversions, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and frustrated.
Flight Disruptions
At least 205 flights were delayed, with an average departure delay of one hour. Additionally, around 50 flights were diverted from their scheduled destinations, further exacerbating the chaos. Airlines such as Air India and IndiGo issued advisories to passengers, but the measures did little to alleviate the inconvenience.
Passenger Ordeals
Many passengers shared their harrowing experiences, detailing the extensive delays and logistical challenges they faced. One passenger on an Air India flight from Srinagar to Mumbai via Delhi recounted:
- The flight was diverted to Chandigarh due to the dust storm and later returned to Delhi at 11 pm.
- Passengers were then asked to board another flight to Mumbai at 12 am, only to wait in the aircraft for four hours before being deboarded and forced to undergo security checks again.
- As of 8 am, the flight had still not taken off, leaving passengers stranded for over 12 hours.
A 75-year-old wheelchair-bound woman on the same flight expressed her distress, stating that she had been waiting at the airport since 11 pm, unable to land in Delhi due to the storm.
Airport Response
Airport officials acknowledged the chaos, attributing it to the diversion and cancellation of flights. The surge in passengers at the airport led to congestion and further delays.
The severe dust storm and resulting flight disruptions have highlighted the challenges faced by airports in managing extreme weather conditions. As the situation continues to unfold, passengers are advised to stay informed about flight status and plan accordingly.
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