‘Complete chaos here’: Dust storm paralyses Delhi airport, passengers stranded over 14 hours

New Delhi: A powerful dust storm followed by isolated rain lashed Delhi and adjoining areas on Friday evening, bringing air traffic and electricity supply to a standstill in several regions. The chaos left passengers stranded for hours at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, while tree branches and debris knocked down power lines across parts of the capital.

Frustrated fliers took to social media to vent their anger, posting images and calling the situation worse than a "bus stand". One stranded traveller at the airport said, "It's 8 am, and we are still waiting at the airport. Our flight has not yet taken off." A 75-year-old wheelchair-bound woman, who had been stuck since 11 pm the previous night, said she had been waiting without updates for over 12 hours.

Reports confirmed that at least 15 flights were diverted from Delhi airport due to the poor weather conditions. Airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet released advisories acknowledging delays and diversions, and promised their ground teams were working to assist passengers.

IndiGo, in a statement, noted that while the weather had improved, "airside congestion continues to impact operations." Air India said its airport teams were doing their best to resolve the situation and requested passengers for patience.

The Delhi airport issued an official advisory: "Due to the inclement weather conditions, some flights are impacted. Passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines for updates. We regret any inconvenience caused."

Meanwhile, power disruptions were reported across North Delhi, with TATA Power Delhi Distribution Limited confirming that tree branches had fallen on high and low tension lines. Areas affected included Narela, Bawana, Badli, and Mangolpuri.

A spokesperson said that operations teams were deployed immediately and that supply had been restored to most areas. "The safety of our customers remains our top priority. We urge residents to report any safety-related issues via our 24x7 helpline," the statement added.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an 'orange alert' for thunderstorms and lightning in Delhi, cautioning that more disruptions could follow.

The incident has raised questions about emergency preparedness at major transport hubs, with calls growing for improved communication and contingency planning during adverse weather events.