In a heart-stopping mid-air drama, passengers aboard IndiGo flight 6E2142 from Delhi to Srinagar endured moments of sheer terror as their aircraft plunged into an unexpected hailstorm Wednesday evening.
Viral footage captures the harrowing scene inside the cabin — children crying out in fear as violent turbulence rocked the aircraft carrying over 200 passengers. Through the windows, lightning flashed ominously while the plane shuddered against the powerful weather system.
The aircraft’s nose cone took a brutal beating from the hailstorm, with verified images revealing significant damage to the front section. Despite the frightening ordeal, quick-thinking pilots declared an emergency to Srinagar Air Traffic Control as a precautionary measure, bringing the aircraft safely to ground around 6:30 p.m.
“Our cockpit and cabin crews followed all standard safety protocols during this challenging situation,” IndiGo stated after the incident. “Ground teams immediately attended to passengers upon arrival, ensuring everyone’s well-being and comfort.” The airline has taken the aircraft out of service for thorough inspection before returning it to operation.
This mid-air emergency unfolded just as Delhi-NCR was experiencing its own dramatic weather transformation. Following a scorching afternoon with the heat index touching a sweltering 50.2°C, the capital was swept by a powerful storm system that brought torrential rain, hail, and fierce winds approaching 80 km/h.
The sudden deluge left Delhi reeling — roads underwater, trees toppled, and Metro services on the Yellow Line disrupted for hours. Weather experts attribute the dramatic storm to a cyclonic circulation over Haryana intensified by moisture from both the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
As Delhi airport operations faced significant disruptions, the 227 passengers on this particular IndiGo flight found themselves caught between the elements in what became an unforgettable — and terrifying — journey to Srinagar.
