Passengers at Sunan Shuofang Airport were seen holding umbrellas inside the terminal waiting area on August 10, as Typhoon "Bai Lu" brought record-breaking rain to Wuxi. The extreme downpour caused localized leaks in the T1 terminal's waiting zone, prompting social media attention.

By August 11, airport officials confirmed to reporters that the leaking issue had been addressed and the waiting area returned to normal operations the same day. Repair work is still finishing up, but all waiting areas are functioning normally, with no safety risks.

The affected section of T1 terminal was built earlier and has been under regular maintenance. The leak occurred around noon on August 10, when rainfall was at its peak, described as an extreme event from the short-duration, intense rainstorm. Airport staff responded immediately upon discovering the leak, providing emergency rain gear to passengers who needed it, while also offering comfort and guidance. Designated personnel were stationed on site to direct passengers away from repair zones and to dry areas.

The root cause was damage to high-altitude terminal fixtures. Because the ceiling is high, repair work required extended time due to the height of the overhead work. The localized leak point was fixed by 3:20 PM on August 10, but finishing touches continued into the morning of August 11. Airport authorities emphasized that dedicated staff remain on site, and there are no safety concerns; all waiting areas are operating normally.

An industry expert in construction noted that such issues are essentially ceiling seepage or water leakage. Waterproofing glass curtain walls and large ceilings remains challenging—temperature differences can create cracks, gaps in joints allow moisture, and issues like siphon pressure or material aging can all contribute to leaks. Thus, ongoing maintenance and care are crucial.

The airport stated that this incident was a sudden event caused by heavy rain. Going forward, a comprehensive inspection and repair of roofing, ceilings, and windows will be conducted. A pre-rain inspection mechanism will be established, and emergency plans for waterproofing and leak prevention will be improved to prevent similar issues in the future.