A part of the roof of Delhi Airport Terminal 1 (T1) crashed on automobiles this morning, killing at least one person and injuring six others. According to the civil aviation ministry, all departures from Terminal 1, which only operates domestic flights, have been temporarily suspended.

"Heavy rain in the early morning today collapsed the cover of Delhi Airport Terminal 1. As a result, flights to and from Terminal 1 have been discontinued until further notice. Alternative measures are being made to ensure the smooth functioning of the flights," the ministry stated in a post on X.

Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu paid a visit to the airport and examined Terminal 1. He stated that the airport will temporarily relocate operations to Terminals 2 and 3.

A portion of the canopy in the departure area of Delhi airport's terminal 1 collapsed about 5 a.m. (2330 GMT), according to a statement from the airport on X.

The ceiling that fell at Terminal 1 was built between 2008 and 2009. According to official sources, GMR Airports Limited contracted with private contractors to complete the job.

The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) is a joint venture founded by GMR Airports Limited (a subsidiary of GMR Infrastructure Limited) (64 percent), the Airports Authority of India (26 percent), and Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide (10 percent).

Delhi Airport Terminal 1 Image Source: Delhi Airport Terminal 1

Passengers who were already in the terminal were claimed to have boarded their aircraft.

"Passengers who are already inside the terminal will be able to board their planned flights, but those with flights later in the day will be offered alternatives," Indigo Airlines said in a statement after the structural damage. The airlines also asked travellers to check their website for information on alternate flights and the refund process.

The Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjar, informed X that he was personally monitoring the ceiling collapse event at T1. "First responders are working on-site. I also advised the airlines to help all affected customers at Terminal 1. The injured have been sent to a hospital. "Rescue operations are still ongoing," he stated in the post.

The Delhi traffic police posted on X that "traffic is affected on Outer Ring Road in both carriageways from Shantivan to ISBT and vice versa due to waterlogging near Y-Point Saleemgarh and Nigambodh Ghat." Please plan your route accordingly. Waterlogging impacted traffic near ITO, Vir Banda Bairagi Marg, and Dhaula Kuan.

Due to the heavy rain, IMD officials issued an advisory to watch out for slippery roads, limited visibility, traffic interruption, and localised waterlogging in low-lying regions. It advised avoiding visiting waterlogged areas, urged drivers to monitor traffic congestion along roads, and kept up to current on weather warnings.

You might also be interested in - 13-year-old behind Delhi Airport bomb hoax: Wanted to test if authorities’ could track him