Stormy Friday: Hyderabad Airport Chaos Sees CM Revanth Reddy’s Flight Diverted

Heavy rains and gale-force winds forced a major air traffic disruption at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, leading to nine flight diversions, including the one carrying the Telangana Chief Minister.

The monsoon’s intensity caught the city of Hyderabad off guard this Friday evening. Between 7 pm and 10 pm, the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) turned into a scene of logistical scramble as heavy rain, combined with strong winds reaching speeds of up to 60 kmph, rendered landing operations untenable. Among the nine aircraft forced to abandon their approach was IndiGo flight 6E 717 from Delhi, which had Telangana CM Revanth Reddy on board.

The flight, which was scheduled to land at 9:15 pm, had to be redirected mid-air following strict instructions from air traffic control. After battling the adverse weather, the aircraft safely touched down in Bengaluru at 10:28 pm. While other passengers resumed their journeys as conditions eased, the Chief Minister opted to stay the night in Bengaluru, eventually returning to the city on Saturday morning.

A Cascade of Disruptions

The impact of the weather was widespread, hitting both domestic and international connections. Data from FlightRadar24 and airport sources confirm that Bengaluru became the primary fallback for rerouted flights, including services from Singapore and Mumbai. Other aircraft, including IndiGo flights from Navi Mumbai and Varanasi, were diverted to Chennai, while another service from Bengaluru was redirected to Nagpur.

Passengers across these flights faced significant delays, both in the air and on the tarmac. IndiGo issued a formal advisory at 9:24 pm via the social media platform X, acknowledging the extended wait times and requesting patience from commuters as the airline managed the ripple effect of the sudden groundings.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the growing vulnerability of urban infrastructure to extreme weather events. As Hyderabad continues to expand as a global tech and business hub, the pressure on its transit arteries—both road and air—is mounting. While airport protocols effectively prioritized passenger safety by choosing diversions over risky landings, the event underscores the recurring challenge the aviation sector faces during the monsoon.

Beyond the airport, the city grappled with severe waterlogging and traffic snarls in key IT corridors. For the state administration, the event serves as a sharp reminder of the need for robust disaster management. CM Revanth Reddy has since directed officials to stay on high alert, focusing on flood-prone zones and the relocation of residents from low-lying areas, signaling a shift toward proactive monitoring as the monsoon season intensifies across the state.