Delhi to Srinagar IndiGo Flight Makes Emergency Landing

An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Srinagar with over 220 passengers, including Members of Parliament, experienced severe turbulence mid-air on Wednesday due to a sudden hailstorm over Kashmir. The incident, which occurred amid the region’s unpredictable spring weather, led the pilot to declare an emergency before safely landing at Srinagar Airport.

According to IndiGo’s official statement,“Flight 6E 2142 encountered a hailstorm en route. The flight and cabin crew followed established safety protocols, and the aircraft landed safely in Srinagar. All passengers were prioritised for their wellbeing after arrival.”

Visuals circulating on social media showed significant damage to the aircraft’s nose cone. Airport officials confirmed that the plane was declared ‘Aircraft on Ground’ (AOG) for necessary inspection and maintenance, as is standard aviation protocol in the event of structural damage caused by severe weather.

Passengers described the ordeal as terrifying. Owais Maqbool Hakeem, a passenger onboard, shared:

“It was a near-death experience. The nose of the plane was damaged… There was panic and people were screaming.”

Another flyer, Sheikh Samiullah, remarked:

“I’ve never felt turbulence like this before. The crew and pilot handled the situation admirably.”

The incident highlights the ongoing impact of unseasonal weather in Kashmir, with the region experiencing unexpected hailstorms and thunderstorms in recent days.

Meteorological officials have issued updates warning travelers about sudden weather changes in Srinagar and surrounding areas, advising caution for those planning air travel to Kashmir this week.

Notably,a Trinamool Congress (TMC) delegation including Derek O'Brien,Sagarika Ghose, Nadimul Haque, Mamata Thakur, and Manas Bhuyan was also on board the flight.

IndiGo flight 6E 2142 is currently grounded for inspection, & passengers are safe with no reported injuries.

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Travelers heading to Kashmir are advised to check weather updates, airline advisories, and flight status before their journeys, as unpredictable weather in Srinagar can cause flight delays, diversions, or cancellations during this season.