Agencies and KalimNews | Kolkata | May 22, 2025 : An IndiGo flight traveling from Delhi to Srinagar encountered severe turbulence midair on the evening of May 21, after flying into an unexpected hailstorm. The flight, carrying 227 passengers, including a five-member delegation of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) headed to Kashmir, landed safely at Srinagar despite significant midair disruption and visible damage to the aircraft’s nose section.
The flight, numbered 6E2142, had departed from Delhi as scheduled. As it approached Srinagar, it was caught in a powerful storm, accompanied by heavy hail and strong winds. The impact of the weather led to intense shaking of the aircraft, causing widespread panic among passengers.
Several passengers, including members of the TMC delegation, were seen visibly distressed. Videos recorded from inside the cabin captured the frightening moments as hail pelted the fuselage and cries of panic echoed through the aircraft. These visuals later went viral on social media.
Despite the alarming situation, the IndiGo flight crew remained calm and followed emergency protocols. The pilot promptly contacted Air Traffic Control (ATC) at Srinagar to report the situation and declared an emergency. Thanks to their timely and professional response, the flight was able to land safely at around 6:30 p.m. All passengers and crew were evacuated without injury.
The incident has sparked concern due to the extent of the damage suffered by the aircraft, particularly the front nose cone, reportedly damaged by the hail. IndiGo has since declared the aircraft “Aircraft on Ground” (AOG), grounding it for immediate inspection and repair. The airline confirmed that all 227 passengers, including the TMC leaders, were unharmed and that their wellbeing was attended to upon arrival.
The flight, 6E 2142, was carrying a delegation of five Trinamool Congress leaders – Derek O’Brien, Nadimul Haque, Sagarika Ghose, Manas Bhunia, and Mamata Thakur – to Poonch when it encountered rough weather mid-air. The flight later landed safely at 6:30pm, officials said.
In an official statement, IndiGo said: “Flight 6E2142 operating from Delhi to Srinagar encountered a sudden hailstorm en route. The crew followed all established safety protocols, and the aircraft landed safely in Srinagar. The wellbeing of our customers remains our top priority, and all passengers and crew are safe.”
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier issued an orange alert for May 21, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching up to 70 kmph. The weather was influenced by a cyclonic circulation over Haryana and an east-west trough extending from Punjab to Bangladesh. Delhi recorded its highest minimum temperature of the season at 30.2°C, and widespread storms disrupted air traffic across North India.
Following the hailstorm, numerous domestic and international flights were delayed or diverted from Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. Both IndiGo and Air India issued advisories requesting passengers to check flight status before heading to the airport. Reports confirm that many flights to and from Delhi, Chandigarh, and Kolkata were affected.
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for May 22 and 23, forecasting continued thunderstorms and moderate rainfall in parts of North India.
Though shaken, passengers of flight 6E2142, including the TMC delegation, expressed relief at having landed safely. No official comment has yet been made by TMC representatives regarding their experience during the incident.
The damaged aircraft remains grounded in Srinagar for detailed technical assessment and repairs. Flight operations are expected to resume once it is declared airworthy.
