New Delhi: Heavy rain led to waterlogging at Indira Gandhi International Airport Friday, forcing passengers to wade through ankle-deep water near the arrival gates of Terminal 3.As a squall with a wind speed touching 76 kmph hit the airport, 11 flights bound for the capital were diverted to Jaipur, Lucknow, Chandigarh and Ahmedabad between 3.30 pm and 5 pm. Over 550 flights were delayed at IGI Airport throughout the day, according to FlightRadar24, a live tracking website.Videos from the airport showed passengers carrying their luggage and staff struggling to negotiate stretches full of water. “I have been standing here for about half an hour now. I am waiting for the water level to recede so that I can head for the arrival gates,” a flyer said.India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the airport logged 75.6 mm of rainfall between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm. It considers rainfall to be ‘heavy’ when it is between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm during a 24-hour period.Delhi Airport authorities posted on social media, “Delhi Airport witnessed heavy rainfall this afternoon; as a result, the approach road and forecourt areas experienced water accumulation. The accumulated water was cleared within some time.” The airport authorities shared some videos that showed the water level had receded at the airport.An official said that the airport drain in Sector 8, Dwarka, which will ensure smooth discharge of rainwater from the airport area into the city’s trunk drains during the monsoon, is not fully complete.However, a DDA official claimed that the drain from the airport through Sector 8 up to the trunk drainage system is fully functional and has been operational for the past two years. “Only a limited stretch in front of the SPG area leading to Trunk Drain-2 beneath the Metro line bridge is currently under construction. Due to the exceptionally heavy rainfall, accumulated rainwater may take some time to drain out and is expected to recede progressively once the intensity of rainfall subsides.”The official added that the runoff within the airport catchment is being managed by DIAL through its drainage and water-retention arrangements.In 2019, major waterlogging was witnessed at IGI’s Terminal 1 following heavy rain; the drains at the time were insufficient to discharge a large volume of water.
