Photo: TNIE
New Delhi: A section of the roof of the Delhi Airport's departure gate fell early on Friday morning amid the intense rainfall that pounded the nation's capital, leaving one person dead and at least five injured. Numerous vehicles, including cars and taxis, also sustained damage.
According to Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), all check-ins and departures from Terminal 1 have been temporarily suspended as a safety precaution following the incident, which was reported at around five in the morning.
Additionally, airport sources informed that the two airlines that operate out of Terminal 1—Spicejet and IndiGo—have suspended their flights till 2:00 PM.
"However, we are in consultation with the airlines to shift departures of their scheduled flights from Terminal 2 and 3," a senior official said, the New Indian Express reported.
Authorities reported that the event caused the support beams and roof of the departure's forecourt to fall. In a statement regarding the incident, the DIAL stated that the injured are receiving all emergency care and medical attention.
"Due to heavy rain since early this morning, a portion of the canopy at the old Departure forecourt of Delhi Airport's Terminal 1 collapsed around 5 am. There are injuries reported, and emergency personnel are working to provide all necessary assistance and medical aid to those affected. As a result of this incident, all departures from Terminal 1 are temporarily suspended, and check-in counters are closed as a safety measure. We sincerely regret this disruption and apologize for any inconvenience caused," a spokesperson of DIAL said.
Three fire tenders were dispatched to the scene, according to the Delhi Fire Services (DFS), which was contacted about the incident at around 5:30 in the morning. In the early hours of Friday, Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) saw nonstop rain, thunderstorms, and lightning, which resulted in waterlogging and flooding of the region's roadways.