“We are hopeful of passenger flights landing there from tomorrow”, Press Trust of India quoted Defence Ministry sources as saying.
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India’s third busiest airport, Chennai International, has been forced to close and cancel all aircraft movements as a result of severe weather conditions on Dec.1. All operations at Chennai airport were stopped on Wednesday and 22 trains were cancelled.
Similarly, all the SpiceJet operations at Chennai were announced to be suspended till further instructions, as the airport is waterlogged and tarmac is submerged in one and half feet of water. Large parts of the capital city and other parts of the coastal Tamil Nadu are inundated with continuous rains pounding the region.
The spokesperson said Chennai airport authorities had initially shut operations till Wednesday morning, but as the rains continued, it made a decision to extend the shutdown till 6am Thursday.
Shastri said the management would be reviewing the situation on an ongoing basis, but the airport would likely remain closed for at least one more day. “A lot of things (sic) are stranded at the airport”. “All passengers are expected to be evacuated by 4 pm on Wednesday”.
Proactive measures have been taken to inform the passengers about the cancellations and rescheduling of flights through phone calls, SMS etc. Refunds and alternative options have also been offered where ever possible.
Navy personnel have been deployed in Sadiapet area of Chennai to rescue people marooned in low-lying areas.
Indian media reported that about 4000 people were stranded at the Chennai airport after flights were cancelled, with Tamil Nadu experienced its worst rains in 100 years.
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Adding to the worry of the citizens and administration, the weatherman has forecast rainfall over the next three days with the next 48 being very critical under the influence of a trough of low pressure and upper air circulation over the southwest Bay of Bengal and Sri Lankan coast.
