Mid-air scare! Passengers scream, pray as IndiGo flight from Delhi to Srinagar navigates turbulence | Viral video

Amid severe weather conditions in the national capital, an IndiGo Airlines flight from Delhi to Srinagar on Wednesday evening had to navigate massive midair turbulence.

Videos from inside the plane, in which passengers can be heard screaming and praying for their safety, have gone viral on social media platforms.

The flight was reportedly carrying more than 220 people.

The midair turbulence prompted the pilot to report the "emergency" to air traffic control at Srinagar. The flight later landed safely at Srinagar at 6.30 pm.

“Indigo flight 6E2142 operating from Delhi to Srinagar encountered sudden hailstorm enroute. The flight and cabin crew followed established protocol and the aircraft landed safely in Srinagar, ” said the airline in a statement.

The airport team attended to the customers after arrival of the aircraft, prioritising their wellbeing and comfort, the airline said, adding, “The aircraft will be released post necessary inspection and maintenance.”

The images of the the aircraft that went viral on social media platforms suggested that the hailstorm, badly broke off part of the plane's nose. However, there is no official confirmation.

Meanwhile, many domestic and international flights to Delhi airport from various airports have been halted or diverted due to weather conditions in Delhi, ANI reported quoting airport sources.

IndiGo and Air India have also issued advisories for passengers asking them to check the status of flights.

“Heavy rain and thunderstorm in #Delhi, #Chandigarh and #Kolkata is impacting flights. We understand weather delays are never easy, we sincerely appreciate your patience. Do check your flight status before heading to the airport,” said IndiGo in a post on X.

Similarly, Air India said, 'Rain and thunderstorms may disrupt flights to/from Delhi this evening. Please check your flight status."

Delhi witnessed a severe storm in the evening as rain, accompanied by a light thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds with a speed of 40 to 60 kilometres per hour, was reported from several areas. Delhi recorded the highest minimum temperature of the season so far at 30.2 degrees Celsius, 3.5 degrees above normal.

Delhi weather forecast

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast thunderstorms and rain.

“Partly cloudy sky, light to moderate rain/thunderstorm/lightning/dust storm and gusty winds (speed 40-60 kmph) temporarily reaching to 70 kmph during thunderstorm,” said IMD in its forecast, while issuing orange alert for today.

For May 22 and 23, the weather deartment has issued yellow alert.

The maximum temperature is expected to settle at 39 degrees Celsius, the IMD said.

The air quality was recorded in the poor category as the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 9 am stood at 201.