Video shows chaos aboard Delhi-to-Srinagar IndiGo flight as it gets caught in hailstorm; Passenger recalls, 'it was terrifying'

An IndiGo flight travelling from Delhi to Srinagar gave passengers a major scare on Wednesday after it ran into severe weather mid-air. The flight, numbered 6E2142, encountered a sudden hailstorm while approaching Srinagar, prompting the pilot to declare an emergency with Air Traffic Control (ATC).

As the plane entered the hailstorm, hailstones began striking the fuselage hard, violently shaking the aircraft. A video filmed by a passenger inside the cabin has gone viral, capturing the terrifying moment when passengers were filled with fear and panic spread throughout the flight.



A passenger on board, Sheikh Samiullah, said in a video shared by PTI, “I was onboard the IndiGo flight when everything seemed normal, until the pilot suddenly announced a rough patch ahead and asked us to fasten our seatbelts. It was terrifying.”


The nose cone of the aircraft was visibly damaged during the incident, but the pilot managed to land the plane safely at Srinagar Airport at 6:30 pm.

Officials from the Airports Authority of India confirmed that all 227 passengers and the crew were safely evacuated after landing. The airline declared the aircraft "AOG" (Aircraft on Ground), meaning it cannot operate until necessary repairs are completed.

IndiGo issued a statement saying, “Flight 6E 2142 operating from Delhi to Srinagar encountered a sudden hailstorm en route. The crew followed all safety procedures, and the aircraft landed safely. The airport team attended to passengers’ comfort and wellbeing after landing. The aircraft will be released only after inspection and maintenance.”

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that the weather disturbance was caused by a cyclonic circulation over Haryana and nearby areas, combined with a trough extending from Punjab to Bangladesh. This also brought heavy rain and hail to Delhi-NCR on Wednesday evening.

The bad weather affected several other flights, with many being delayed, diverted or cancelled at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.


Passengers have been advised to check their flight status before travelling, as weather conditions remain unstable.

Inputs from agencies