Delhi rains ground 400+ flights, 9 diverted from IGIA on 4 September
Synopsis
Nine flights diverted and over 400 delayed at Delhi's IGIA in just one hour as thunderstorms swept the capital on 4 September — with IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air all issuing advisories and IMD's red alert still in force. Cascading delays could stretch well into the evening.
Key Takeaways
At least 9 flights diverted and more than 400 delayed at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on 4 September .
Diversions went to Jaipur (4 flights) , Lucknow (4 flights) , and Ahmedabad (1 flight) between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm IST .
IndiGo , Air India , and Akasa Air all issued travel advisories urging passengers to check flight status before travelling.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for heavy rainfall across Delhi-NCR .
Several parts of Delhi reported waterlogging as thunderstorms continued through the afternoon.
Heavy thunderstorms lashed New Delhi on Friday, 4 September, severely disrupting flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), where at least nine flights were diverted and more than 400 flights delayed. The disruptions, concentrated between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm IST, prompted emergency travel advisories from multiple carriers.
How the Diversions Played Out
Of the nine diverted flights, four were rerouted to Jaipur and four to Lucknow, while one was redirected to Ahmedabad, according to airport officials. Lucknow Airport confirmed that four Delhi-bound flights were turned back due to adverse weather in the capital. Jaipur Airport separately confirmed receiving five inbound Delhi flights that could not land at IGIA.
Airlines Issue Travel Advisories
IndiGo acknowledged that adverse weather over Delhi had disrupted its schedules and urged passengers to check flight status before leaving for the airport, allowing additional travel time. Air India issued a similar caution, stating: 'Flight operations to and from Delhi may be affected due to adverse weather conditions today. To ensure a smooth travel experience, we encourage our passengers to check the latest flight status before heading to the airport.'
IndiGo added: 'We are closely monitoring the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly. We appreciate your continued patience and understanding. Your comfort and safety remain our top priority.' Akasa Air also confirmed that severe weather in Delhi had affected certain flights across its network.
IMD Red Alert and Ground-Level Impact
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for heavy rainfall across parts of Delhi-NCR as thunderstorms persisted through the afternoon. Several localities in Delhi reported significant waterlogging, compounding travel difficulties for commuters already contending with airport delays. This comes amid an unusually active monsoon season that has repeatedly disrupted surface and air transport in the capital this year.
What Passengers Should Do
Travellers with flights to or from Delhi are advised to check real-time status directly with their airline before heading to the airport. Cascading delays — where late arrivals push back subsequent departures — mean disruptions are likely to extend into the evening. IGIA has not yet issued a formal all-clear as weather conditions remained unsettled.
Point of View
Shorter cloudbursts, the question is no longer whether Delhi will face such disruptions but how frequently, and whether airlines and the airport operator will invest in resilience or continue issuing reactive advisories.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many flights were affected at Delhi airport on 4 September?
At least 9 flights were diverted and more than 400 were delayed at Indira Gandhi International Airport on 4 September due to heavy thunderstorms. The disruptions were concentrated between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm IST.
Where were the diverted Delhi flights sent?
Four flights were diverted to Jaipur, four to Lucknow, and one to Ahmedabad, according to airport officials. Both Jaipur and Lucknow airports confirmed receiving the diverted aircraft.
Which airlines issued travel advisories due to Delhi rain?
IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air all issued advisories urging passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport and to allow extra travel time due to weather-related schedule disruptions.
What was the IMD alert level for Delhi on 4 September?
The India Meteorological Department issued a red alert — its highest warning category — for heavy rainfall in parts of Delhi-NCR as thunderstorms persisted through the afternoon.
Should passengers still travel to Delhi airport?
Passengers are advised to check real-time flight status directly with their airline before heading to IGIA. Cascading delays from the afternoon disruption are likely to affect evening departures and arrivals as well.
