Turbulence
An Indigo flight from Delhi to Srinagar faced extreme turbulence while flying through a thunderstorm. This incident involved 227 passengers and resulted in visible damage to the aircraft, particularly a broken nose section. The event, shared widely on social media, brought into light the dangers of flying in adverse weather conditions.
About Turbulence
Turbulence is a common occurrence in aviation. It usually arises from changes in wind speed or direction. Factors include storms, jet streams, and thermal currents. While minor turbulence is manageable, severe turbulence can pose risks to aircraft stability.
Updrafts and Downdrafts
Updrafts are rising currents of warm air, often found in thunderstorms. They occur due to daytime heating, where the sun warms the ground, causing air to rise. Conversely, downdrafts are descending currents of cooler air, often triggered by cooling effects like evaporation. Both phenomena can lead to rapid altitude changes for an aircraft.
The Incident Details
During the flight, the aircraft encountered a strong cycle of updrafts and downdrafts. Experts estimate that the plane was displaced by 2,000 to 6,000 feet. Thunderstorm systems can reach altitudes of up to 3 kilometres, creating dangerous conditions for aircraft. The flight also passed through a hailstorm, leading to potential damage from large hailstones.
Avoiding Severe Weather
A massive thunderstorm system stretched across northwestern India on the day of the incident. Aviation experts stress the importance of avoiding active thunderstorm zones. Pilots typically reroute around such areas. In this case, the Indigo pilot sought permission to enter Pakistani airspace to avoid the storm, but the request was denied.
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