Cyclone Fengal: Viral video shows Indigo flight struggling to land amid strong winds

A viral video captured an IndiGo flight aborting its landing at Chennai International Airport amid heavy rain and strong winds as Cyclone Fengal approached the Tamil Nadu coast.

The clip shows the aircraft struggling to touch down, coming within inches of the ground before executing a "go-around" maneuver due to unsafe conditions.

The incident occurred on November 30, 2024, as the cyclone lashed the region with heavy rain and gusty winds. The video, shared by the X handle @aviationbrk, quickly went viral, highlighting the challenging conditions faced by pilots and passengers.

The handle posted the footage, noting, “Challenging conditions at Chennai International Airport as Cyclone Fengal makes landfall near Puducherry. The storm brought heavy rains to coastal districts, inundating houses and hospitals.”

IndiGo confirmed the incident, stating that the Mumbai-Chennai flight encountered adverse weather and performed the standard safety maneuver.

“Due to adverse weather conditions, including rain and strong, gusty winds—which eventually led to the closure of Chennai Airport—the cockpit crew of flight 6E 683, operating between Mumbai and Chennai, performed a go-around on November 30, 2024, in accordance with established safety protocols,” an IndiGo spokesperson told ANI.

The airline added, “This is a standard and safe maneuver, and our pilots are extensively trained to handle such situations with the utmost professionalism. A go-around is performed when a safe landing cannot be achieved, as was the case with this flight.”

The flight safely landed in Chennai at approximately 12:40pm, shortly before the airport suspended operations due to the severe weather.

Due to severe weather conditions, Chennai International Airport was temporarily closed on November 30, 2024. A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) extended the closure until 4:00am IST on December 1, 2024.

Following the cyclone’s passage, the airport resumed operations on the morning of December 1, 2024. However, the impact of Cyclone Fengal, including heavy rainfall and strong winds, caused significant disruptions in air and road services. Many passengers faced delays and cancellations, with some stranded at the airport for several hours.

Cyclone Fengal made landfall along the North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts, bringing heavy rain and gusty winds that disrupted transportation and daily life.

The storm claimed at least three lives in Chennai due to electrocution, though overall damage was minimal.

As climate change continues to intensify weather patterns, experts warn of more frequent and severe cyclones. Improved forecasting and effective emergency response measures remain critical to mitigating the risks posed by such natural disasters.