Runways closed, flyers stranded at IGIA, Metro services affected

NEWDELHI: Several flyers were left stranded at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and services at two Metro lines were disrupted following Sunday evening’s thunder and dust storm.

Runways at the IGIA had to be closed following strong winds and thunderstorm, which led to diversion of over 70 incoming flights and delay in a number of departures. According to officials, initially 10 flights were diverted due to strong winds, which soon took shape of a thunderstorm with rains.

“At least 70 flights were diverted due to weather conditions. Our officials were keeping a watch on the situation,” said the airport operator Delhi International Airport Ltd (Dial).

A number of flyers took to Twitter and other social media platforms to narrate their ordeal as they were left stranded either inside the aircraft awaiting departure clearance from the Air Traffic Control or at the terminal. Airlines also took to social media and advised their flyers to check changes in flight timings before arriving at the airport.

India Meteorological Department office at the IGIA said pro- longed thunderstorm and frepm and 6.50 pm had to be stopped. quent wind shear in flight path as A tree also fell between Rajiv reported by pilot while attemptChowk and RK Ashram, disrupting to land has been very unuing service between Indrasual. “Airport was under proprastha and Karol Bagh until 7.37 longed severe weather between pm.

4.30 pm to 7.30 pm. This also led to “The lines were disrupted for closure of runway at irregular two hours. We removed whatever intervals,” the department said. obstruction was there, and

A Delhi Metro spokesperson restored services as soon as possisaid that the services on the Blue ble,” said a DMRC spokesperson. Line and the Violet Line were disRail services, too, were rupted. A tree fell on the overhead affected by the storm. Train equipment (OHE) between Okhla movement was affected between and Jasola on the Violet line. The Hazrat Nizamuddin- Palwal, OHE was damaged on the Blue Ambala - Delhi section. A tree fell Line as well and the services between Tughlaqbad and Okhla between Noida Sector 16 and resulting in tripping of overhead Noida City Centre between 5.15 cables.