On Friday, heavy rain and strong winds caused a roof to collapse at New Delhi's main airport, killing one and disrupting domestic flights. Meanwhile, flooded streets, traffic jams and other problems slowed down daily life in India's largest city.

According to India's Weather Office, the airport area received 148.5 millimetres in three hours, which is more than the June average.

In the 24 hour period ending at 8:30 am (0300 GMT), Friday, the city of 20,000,000 people experienced 228.1 mm of rainfall. This is 266% more than normal.

India's aviation ministry told reporters that a portion of the canopy in the terminal 1 departure area collapsed, and flight operations had to be halted until 2 p.m. (0800 GMT).

Kinjarapu Naidu, the Minister of Transport, confirmed that the entire terminal at the busiest and largest airport in the country was evacuated. An inquiry into the cause of the collapse has been ordered.

Atul Garg (Director of Delhi Fire Service) said that the rescue work was completed and that eight injured persons were transported to hospital.

Flightradar24 data shows that at least 10 flights have been cancelled, 40 delayed and departures are running 50 minutes behind schedule on average from Delhi Airport.

Naidu stated that flights departing and arriving at Terminal 1 after 2 pm would be diverted to the other terminals. Passengers will get full refunds and have the choice of booking alternate flights.

Indian TV showed images of a taxi that was crushed by a metal pillar in the terminal's entrance area. The terminal is mainly used by the low-cost carrier IndiGo (operated by Interglobe Aviation) and SpiceJet, for domestic flights.

One of the workers said that 10-12 cars had been damaged, and they were still pulling vehicles out from the debris.

I missed my morning flight due to flooding. My 2.10 pm Indigo to Bangalore flight was cancelled. "I have to reach Bangalore urgently for an official meet-up," said Asif, a businessman outside Terminal 1.

GMR Airports Infrastructure operates Delhi International Airport and is its largest shareholder, with 64% of the company. In early trading, its shares dropped as much as 2,1%.

DFS spokesperson said that a wall in southwest Delhi’s Vasant Vihar was destroyed by heavy rain. Workers were feared trapped under the debris.

Other parts of Delhi also experienced flooding, with cars stuck in water up to their thighs. Metro services were disrupted, and traffic jams were reported in several parts of Delhi. Residents also complained about power outages.

15 AIRPORT PROJECTS

After heavy rain, a part of the canopy on the new terminal at Jabalpur Airport in central Madhya Pradesh collapsed and fell. This caused damage to the roof and windows of an parked vehicle.

India is one of the largest countries in the world.

fastest-growing

According to data from the government, major aviation markets around the world as well as domestic air travel will reach a record of 152 million passengers by 2023. Last month, domestic airlines transported 13.8 million passengers.

Politicians and experts say that the country has built expressways and ports at the fastest rate ever in the last decade, but incidents at Delhi Airport and Jabalpur have re-ignited concerns about poor workmanship, lax regulation, and a rush to finish projects.

Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, inaugurated or laid foundation stones for new terminal buildings in 15 airports. The cost was 98 billion rupees (1.17 billion dollars). The projects included both Delhi's Terminal 1 as well as the terminal in Jabalpur.

The opposition parties criticized Modi’s government for rushing to inaugurate projects before the elections.

"Corruption and criminal neglect are responsible for the collapse shoddy infrastructure that has fallen like a stack of cards in the last 10 years of Modi Government," Mallikarjun Kharge said on X.

Aviation Minister Naidu defended his government by saying that the roof collapse at Delhi Airport was not caused by the Modi-inaugurated building, but was due to an older building which was opened in 2009.

Officials said that in India's largest state, Uttar Pradesh, in the past 48 hours at least 20 people have died from various flood and rain-related incidents, including seven deaths caused by lightning strikes.