Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri, West Bengal, on Thursday, October 30th. The aircraft, en route to Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, diverted due to adverse weather conditions, including heavy rains and low pressure impacting the region. Sitharaman is safe and is expected to stay overnight in Siliguri. Local administrative officials and security agencies have made arrangements for her stay under strict security. If weather conditions improve by Friday morning, the Finance Minister plans to continue her official visit to Bhutan as scheduled. Her trip aims to bolster bilateral economic cooperation and review ongoing India-Bhutan partnership projects. The flight encountered significant turbulence shortly after departure, prompting the pilot’s decision to divert to Bagdogra as a safety precaution. Airport authorities activated emergency protocols to manage the situation. Meteorological reports indicate widespread rainfall and low-pressure systems affecting flight operations across North Bengal and neighboring areas, causing disruptions to travel to Bhutan and Northeast India. The Finance Ministry is closely monitoring the situation and will update the itinerary based on an early Friday assessment.
