Structural Collapses in Delhi and Jabalpur Airports Due to Heavy Rain

In a tragic incident at Delhi's Indira Gandhi Airport Terminal-1, a massive structural collapse resulted in one death and eight injuries. This morning, a section of the roof fell onto parked cars amidst relentless rain, causing panic and chaos. As of 8:30 a.m. today, the Safdarjung base station in Delhi recorded a staggering 228.1 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours.

"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 a.m. There are injuries reported, and emergency personnel are working to provide all necessary assistance and medical aid to those affected,” said a Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) spokesperson.

In response to the incident, all departures from Terminal 1 have been temporarily suspended, and check-in counters are closed as a precautionary measure. Emergency personnel are actively working on the scene, and one individual is believed to be trapped under the collapsed roof, according to fire department officials.

Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjar, addressed the situation on social media platform X, stating, “First responders are working at the site. Also advised the airlines to assist all affected passengers at T1. The injured have been evacuated to the hospital. Rescue operations are still ongoing.”

Jabalpur Airport Incident Amid Heavy Rainfall

In a similar incident on Thursday, heavy rainfall led to the collapse of a portion of the canopy of the new terminal building at Jabalpur Airport in Madhya Pradesh. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, as the driver of the damaged car, an Income Tax official's vehicle, had already left after parking.

The airport authority has initiated an investigation into the collapse. State Public Works Minister Rakesh Singh commented, “An accident at the airport has been reported and an investigation is underway to prevent such incidents in the future.”

Jabalpur airport roof collapse

Reports indicate that the collapsed canopy tent, installed on the porch outside the main gate of the terminal, was intended to prevent rainwater from entering the building. However, the accumulation of rainwater caused the iron structure to give way. Following the incident, the director of Dumna Airport ordered a thorough probe to ascertain the reasons behind the structural failure.

Preventative Measures and Future Safety

Delhi roof collapse

Both incidents highlight the need for stringent safety protocols and infrastructure resilience in the face of extreme weather conditions. The airport authorities in Delhi and Jabalpur are now focused on immediate relief and rescue operations, while also initiating investigations to prevent such occurrences in the future. The impact of these structural failures underscores the critical importance of robust construction and regular maintenance to ensure the safety of passengers and staff.  Going ahead, as the govt claims they will be relentlessly building new airports in tier 2 & tier 1 cities, they should make sure of the structure and the construction to stay strong during extreme weather conditions. 

Inputs by Agencies

Image Source: Multiple Agencies 

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