Turbulence and Tension at 30,000 Feet: IndiGo Flight Endures Hailstorm En Route to Srinagar
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In a harrowing episode reminiscent of the unpredictable nature of spring skies over northern India, an IndiGo Airbus A320 operating as flight 6E2142 from Delhi to Srinagar faced significant turbulence mid-air on Wednesday evening, after encountering an abrupt and violent hailstorm during cruise.
With 227 passengers on board, including several children, the cabin turned into a scene of alarm and distress as the aircraft was battered by severe weather. Viral footage circulating on social media captured the chaos inside the cabin &mdash; frightened cries of passengers, including children, echoing through the aisles as lightning crackled outside the windows. Passengers were visibly shaken as the aircraft jolted through the storm front.
The unexpected encounter with the hailstorm reportedly damaged a portion of the aircraft&rsquo;s radome &mdash; the nose cone that houses sensitive weather and navigation radar equipment. While IndiGo has not publicly confirmed the extent of the damage, a widely shared image on social media shows a cracked and dented nose of the aircraft, consistent with hailstone strikes.
The flight crew declared an emergency and promptly informed Air Traffic Control in Srinagar of the situation. Despite the intense weather and heightened mid-air stress, the pilots maintained control and navigated the aircraft to a safe landing at Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport, touching down at approximately 6:30 pm.
In a statement released following the incident, IndiGo confirmed that the aircraft had &ldquo;encountered a sudden hailstorm en route&rdquo; and assured that both flight and cabin crew &ldquo;followed established protocol&rdquo; to ensure passenger safety. The airline added that passengers were prioritised on arrival, with airport ground teams attending to their needs.
&ldquo;The aircraft will be released post necessary inspection and maintenance,&rdquo; the statement concluded, indicating that engineers will undertake a thorough airworthiness check before the jet re-enters service.
The severe weather that led to the incident formed rapidly over Delhi-NCR late Wednesday, bringing wind gusts of up to 79 km/h and a short but intense downpour. According to the India Meteorological Department, Safdarjung observatory recorded 12.2 mm of rainfall between 5:30 pm and 8:30 pm. The conditions caused widespread disruption on the ground &mdash; including uprooted trees and traffic snarls &mdash; but it was in the skies that the weather left perhaps its most nerve-wracking impact.
For the passengers aboard flight 6E2142, what began as a routine hour-long journey between two cities turned into a reminder of how swiftly nature can change course &mdash; and how vital a calm crew and strict adherence to aviation protocols are when it does.
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Delhi to Srinagar flight faces mid-air turbulence; passengers shaken, aircraft damaged

IndiGo Flight Hit by Hailstorm, Nose Cone Damaged

Delhi to Srinagar flight faces mid-air turbulence; passengers shaken, aircraft damaged

May 22, 2025 | 13:55 IST