A roof at Delhi airport collapsed after heavy rain, resulting in one fatality and four injuries.
Videos online show huge pillars supporting the roof smashing into cars parked along the airport’s Terminal 1. All departures from the terminal have been temporarily suspended, and check-in counters have been closed.
The incident occurred at 05:00 (23:30 GMT Thursday), authorities said. Rescue operations are underway at the airport, and the injured are being treated in hospitals.
India’s aviation regulator has advised airlines to accommodate passengers on alternate flights or offer refunds. Federal Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu announced a compensation of 2 million rupees ($24,000; £19,000) to the family of the deceased and 300,000 rupees for the injured.
He also told reporters that the situation was under control and that inspections were underway to prevent any further incidents. He added that airports with additional structures across the country would also be inspected.
The incident was criticised on social media, with many users pointing out that the terminal had undergone a massive renovation at the cost of billions of rupees and had been inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March – a month before the recent general election began. However, Mr. Kinjarapu later clarified that the portion that collapsed was not part of the renovated section.
“I want to clarify that the building inaugurated by PM Modi is on the other side and the building that collapsed here is an old building and was opened in 2009,” he said.
Heavy rains have lashed Delhi since Thursday, providing a much-needed respite from the sweltering temperatures the Indian capital had been experiencing since April. However, this has led to waterlogging and major traffic jams in the city.
Videos shared on social media showed people wading through knee-deep water and cars and buses partly submerged in subways. The torrential downpour has also led to delays and cancellations of flights.
India’s meteorological department forecasts that the city will continue to see “heavy to very heavy rainfall” over the weekend.
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