New Delhi: Heavy rain caused waterlogging on the approach roads and forecourt areas of Terminals 2 and 3 at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Friday afternoon, disrupting flight operations as the national capital was battered by intense showers.

Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), which operates the airport, said the approach road and forecourt areas accumulated water following heavy rainfall. The water was subsequently cleared.

In a post on X on Friday evening, DIAL said the airport had experienced “heavy rainfall” during the afternoon, resulting in water accumulation in the approach road and forecourt areas.

A source said excess water had also entered parts of the two terminals, but it was later cleared.

The disruption came as heavy rain lashed several parts of Delhi, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for intense rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds.

In its short-range forecast issued at 2.15 pm, the IMD predicted light to moderate rain, thunderstorms and lightning at many places between 2.15 pm and 4.15 pm, with heavy rain at isolated locations.

Nine flights diverted amid bad weather

At least nine flights were diverted from Delhi airport on Friday due to adverse weather conditions, an official said.

Four flights each were diverted to Jaipur and Lucknow, while one was diverted to Ahmedabad. The diversions took place between 3.30 pm and 4.30 pm.

More than 400 flights were also delayed at the airport on Friday, according to data available on flight-tracking website Flightradar24.

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is the country’s busiest airport and handles more than 1,300 flight movements every day.

DIAL operates three terminals at the airport — T1, T2 and T3 — with international flights operating from Terminal 3.

(PTI)