Disaster Management Body's Ex-Official Suggests "Flood Audit" Of All Airports

M Shashidha Reddy, who had the longest stints as a member and as vice-chairman of the NDMA, also suggested widening of a drainage system from Delhi airport's terminal three to Najafgarh to check flooding.

Expressing great concern over the recent waterlogging in parts of Delhi airport, former National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) vice-chairman M Shashidhar Reddy on Sunday wrote to Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia suggesting a "flood audit" of all airports in India. Mr Reddy, who had the longest stints as a member (2005-2010) and as vice-chairman (2010-2014) of the NDMA, also suggested widening of a drainage system from Delhi airport's terminal three to Najafgarh to check flooding. "It is a matter of great concern that the world-class airport in Delhi was flooded on the morning of September 11, 2021, causing severe disruption to the public -- about 100 flights were delayed and five diverted," he said in the letter to Mr Scindia. Major operational areas like Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) T3 terminal, airport taxiways, airport approach road and others were submerged due to rains, Mr Reddy said.