An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Raipur was diverted to Nagpur on Thursday night after adverse weather and low visibility prevented a safe landing in Raipur. Several senior Chhattisgarh political leaders were among the passengers.

Weather Disrupts Landing

An IndiGo flight operating from Delhi to Raipur was forced to divert to Nagpur on Thursday night after poor weather conditions and reduced visibility made landing unsafe at Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur.

The flight, 6E-5138, had departed from Delhi around 7:30 pm and was scheduled to arrive in Raipur at approximately 8:55 pm. However, deteriorating weather conditions over the Chhattisgarh capital delayed its arrival and disrupted operations.

Aircraft Circled Over Raipur

According to information available, the aircraft remained airborne over the Raipur region for some time as pilots assessed the situation and awaited an improvement in visibility.

With heavy rainfall reported in and around the city and visibility remaining below safe operational limits, the crew eventually decided to divert the aircraft to Nagpur. The flight later landed safely at Nagpur Airport.

Airport and aviation sources indicated that the diversion was taken purely as a precautionary safety measure.

Senior Leaders On Board

The flight was carrying several prominent political figures from Chhattisgarh.

Among those on board were Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Chhattisgarh Congress president Deepak Baij, former Union Minister of State Renuka Singh, and BJP spokesperson Gaurishankar Shrivas.

The presence of leaders from both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Congress drew attention to the incident, though no passenger-related issues were reported during the diversion.

Delay Extends Journey

After weather conditions in Raipur improved later in the night, the aircraft resumed its journey from Nagpur.

The passengers, including the political leaders, finally arrived in Raipur at around 11:30 pm, roughly two and a half hours later than the scheduled arrival time.

Officials confirmed that the flight completed the remaining leg without any operational difficulty.

Rain Impacts Flight Operations

The incident comes at a time when several parts of central India are witnessing pre-monsoon weather activity, including heavy showers, thunderstorms and fluctuating visibility levels.

Such conditions can affect flight operations, particularly during landing and take-off phases when visibility and runway conditions play a critical role in aviation safety.

Aviation experts note that diversions due to adverse weather are standard operational procedures and are undertaken whenever conditions fall below prescribed safety requirements.

Passengers Reach Safely

Despite the delay, all passengers onboard reached their destination safely. No injuries, technical issues or emergency situations were reported during the diversion.

The flight's diversion highlighted the challenges posed by sudden weather changes during the monsoon transition period, even as airlines and airport authorities continue to prioritise passenger safety over schedule adherence.

Focus on Aviation Safety

Thursday night's diversion serves as a reminder of how weather can significantly influence flight operations. While the delay inconvenienced passengers, aviation authorities maintain that such decisions are essential to ensure safe travel.

With weather patterns expected to remain active in the region over the coming days, airlines are likely to continue monitoring conditions closely before arrival and departure operations.