IndiGo Flight Hit by Hailstorm: Passengers Scream as Delhi-Srinagar Plane Suffers Severe Turbulence
A Delhi-to-Srinagar IndiGo flight faced a frightening situation on Wednesday evening after the aircraft encountered a sudden hailstorm and severe turbulence during the journey. More than 200 passengers were on board when the flight was caught in the turbulent weather, leaving several passengers terrified.
The incident involved IndiGo flight 6E2142, which was travelling from Delhi to Srinagar. Videos recorded inside the aircraft later surfaced online, showing passengers reacting to the intense turbulence and lightning outside the windows.
IndiGo Flight 6E2142 Encounters Severe Turbulence
IndiGo flight 6E2142 departed from Delhi for Srinagar with 227 passengers on board. During the flight, the aircraft encountered a powerful hailstorm over North India.
The sudden change in weather resulted in heavy turbulence. Passengers were seen holding onto their seats as the aircraft experienced strong shaking. Children could also be heard crying and screaming in videos reportedly recorded inside the cabin.
Lightning was visible through the windows as the aircraft moved through the storm. The situation created considerable panic among passengers, with some reportedly praying as the turbulence continued.
Pilot Declares Emergency During Delhi-Srinagar Flight
As the weather conditions became difficult, the pilot contacted Air Traffic Control (ATC) in Srinagar and declared an emergency.
Despite the severe turbulence, the crew followed established safety procedures and managed to bring the aircraft safely to Srinagar. The flight landed at Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport at approximately 6:30 PM.
An IndiGo spokesperson said that the aircraft encountered a sudden hailstorm while travelling from Delhi to Srinagar and that both the flight and cabin crew followed the required protocols.
Aircraft Sent for Inspection After Landing
Following the safe landing, IndiGo’s airport and ground teams attended to the passengers and focused on their safety and wellbeing.
The aircraft was subsequently taken for inspection and maintenance. Reports and images circulating online suggested damage to a section of the aircraft’s nose area after the hailstorm.
The airline indicated that the aircraft would only be released for operation after the necessary inspection and maintenance work had been completed.
Delhi-NCR Hailstorm Triggered Severe Weather
The storm encountered by the IndiGo flight was part of a broader spell of severe weather affecting Delhi-NCR and surrounding parts of North India.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported heavy rain, hail and strong winds across several areas. Wind speeds reportedly reached up to 79 km/h during the storm.
Delhi’s Safdarjung observatory recorded 12.2 mm of rainfall between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM on Wednesday. The weather also resulted in fallen trees, waterlogging and traffic disruptions in several parts of the region.
Cyclonic Circulation Behind the Sudden Storm
According to meteorological analysis, the severe weather was linked to a cyclonic circulation over Haryana and nearby areas.
The system was associated with an east-west trough extending from Punjab towards Bangladesh. Moisture from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal contributed to the development of strong weather activity.
The storm arrived after Delhi had experienced extremely hot conditions earlier in the day. The heat index reportedly reached 50.2 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature was recorded at around 40.7°C.
Passengers Describe the Flight as Terrifying
Passengers who experienced the turbulence described the incident as extremely frightening. Some reportedly felt that the aircraft was dropping suddenly while the cabin shook heavily.
Children were particularly distressed during the episode, while several passengers were seen holding their seats and praying.
Members of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) delegation were also reportedly travelling on the flight. Passengers later spoke about the intensity of the turbulence and the fear that spread throughout the cabin when the storm hit.
IndiGo Flight Turbulence Video Goes Viral
Videos from inside the Delhi-Srinagar flight began circulating widely on social media after the aircraft landed.
The footage showed passengers reacting to the severe turbulence, with lightning visible outside the windows. The incident quickly attracted attention online, with many users praising the pilots and cabin crew for maintaining control and ensuring a safe landing.
At the same time, some social media users questioned whether flights should be rerouted or delayed when severe weather and hailstorms are forecast.
What Happens to the Damaged IndiGo Aircraft?
The aircraft was reportedly placed under Aircraft on Ground (AOG) status following the incident. This means the plane cannot return to regular operations until it has undergone the required maintenance checks and receives clearance.
Although the visible damage appeared to involve the aircraft’s nose section, a detailed inspection is necessary because important equipment and avionics are located in the forward part of an aircraft.
The aircraft will need to complete all necessary repairs and safety checks before being allowed to fly again.
IndiGo Delhi-Srinagar Flight Lands Safely
Despite the frightening conditions, IndiGo flight 6E2142 landed safely in Srinagar. No major injuries were reported in connection with the incident.
The episode highlights how quickly weather conditions can change over North India, particularly during periods of extreme heat followed by thunderstorms, hail and strong winds.
For the passengers, however, the experience was undoubtedly stressful. The safe landing provided relief after what many described as one of the most frightening flights they had experienced.
Conclusion
The IndiGo Delhi-Srinagar flight turbulence incident has drawn widespread attention after flight 6E2142 encountered a sudden hailstorm over North India. The aircraft experienced severe turbulence, passengers panicked, and the plane reportedly suffered external damage before eventually landing safely in Srinagar.