Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Heavy Delhi Rain Diverts Flights, Triggers Red Alert
Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit Delhi and nearby areas on Friday.
Water collected on some roads, neighborhoods and parts of the airport.
Nine airplanes could not operate normally from Indira Gandhi International Airport and were sent to other cities.
Four went to Jaipur, four to Lucknow and one to Ahmedabad.
One report also said more than 400 flights were delayed.
Airport workers cleared water from important airport areas.
Weather officials warned that more rain, lightning and strong winds could arrive on Saturday.
They expected the weather to improve from Sunday.
The rain was linked to a low-pressure system and other monsoon weather patterns.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms caused waterlogging across parts of Delhi-NCR on Friday, September 4, 2026.
Nine flights were diverted from Indira Gandhi International Airport between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m.
Four flights were sent to Jaipur, four to Lucknow and one to Ahmedabad, while more than 400 flights were reported delayed.
Water accumulated on airport approach roads and forecourt areas, but airport staff later cleared it and maintained operations.
The IMD forecast more rain and thunderstorms on Saturday, with conditions expected to improve from Sunday.
- Who
- Delhi-NCR residents, commuters, airline passengers, airlines and airport authorities were affected; the India Meteorological Department issued the weather alerts.
- What
- Heavy rain and thunderstorms caused waterlogging, diverted nine flights and delayed more than 400 flights, according to one report.
- When
- Friday, September 4, 2026; the diversions occurred between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m., with more rain forecast for Saturday, September 5.
- Where
- Delhi-NCR, including Indira Gandhi International Airport and parts of West Delhi.
- Why
- A well-marked low-pressure area, the monsoon trough, associated troughs and a western disturbance were influencing weather over northern India.
Disruption and Further Flooding Concerns
Airport Response and Expected Improvement
Airport operations
Disruption and Further Flooding Concerns
Heavy rain caused water accumulation and led to nine flight diversions; one report said more than 400 flights were delayed.
Airport Response and Expected Improvement
Airport authorities said staff cleared water from approach roads and forecourt areas and continued operating the airport normally.
Road conditions
Disruption and Further Flooding Concerns
Waterlogging affected West Delhi, Gandhi Market in Sagarpur and some residential colonies, while further rain could worsen movement and traffic disruption.
Airport Response and Expected Improvement
Reports said there were no major traffic jams or widespread waterlogging on key arterial roads at the time of reporting.
Forecast outlook
Disruption and Further Flooding Concerns
The IMD forecast additional rain, thunderstorms, lightning and possible heavy downpours on Saturday, raising concerns about further waterlogging.
Airport Response and Expected Improvement
Rainfall activity was expected to weaken after Saturday, with improvement forecast from Sunday and dry conditions forecast for September 7 and 8.
- Flights diverted
- Nine flights between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m.
- Diversion destinations
- Four to Jaipur, four to Lucknow and one to Ahmedabad
- Flight delays
- More than 400 delays were reported by one source
- Highest rainfall
- Palam recorded 75.6 mm by 5:30 p.m. in one report; another reported 72.2 mm between 2:30 and 5:30 p.m.
- Other rainfall totals
- Narayana recorded 54 mm, Janakpuri 48.5 mm, Lodhi Road 34.6 mm and Safdarjung 32.6 mm
- Weather warnings
- A red alert was issued for Friday; a yellow alert was issued for Saturday, according to one report
- Monsoon rainfall
- Delhi had received 509.8 mm, 11% above the 457.5 mm normal
Sources
Delhi Rains: Heavy Downpour Floods IGI Airport, Nine Flights Diverted Within An Hour
More showers forecast for Delhi even as Red alert sounded amid heavy rain; nine flights diverted from IGI Airport
Heavy rain in Delhi, flights diverted to Jaipur, Lucknow, Ahmedabad