Cyclone Michaung: Flight operations at Chennai airport resume after 24-hour closure

In a major relief to air passengers travelling to and from Tamil Nadu capital, Chennai International Airport resumed flight operations on December 5 after a 24-hour closure.

"Airfield now open for all arrival and departure operations" Chennai airport's official handle wrote on X at 9:37am.

Vistara flight UK821 from Mumbai was the first to land at Chennai airport at 11:19 am after the resumption of operations. IndiGo flight 6E6005 was the first to depart from Chennai to Chandigarh at 11:46 am.

The airport shut down its airfield at 9:17am on December 4 due to water from the Adyar river entering the runway. The runway, taxiway, and parts of the apron where planes stand were flooded, and strong winds were reported.

Several flights were cancelled and diverted, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. Incoming flights to Chennai airport were diverted to Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Trichy.

Also, read: Cyclone Michaung disrupts flight, train services in Chennai; helpline numbers launched for industrial parks

Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) on December 4 said that 33 international and domestic flights were diverted from Chennai to Bengaluru.

In 2015, Chennai airport was closed for nearly a week due to flooding on the runway.

Airports Authority of India (AAI) urged passengers to check with the airlines for the status of flights.

An AAI spokesperson said that rains have ceased, and water has receded at the airport. "Airfield was open from 9am on December 5. There is no water stagnation on runways and taxiways. However, there is a significant amount of slush and filth present. Four cleaning and flushing trucks have been deployed to clear the slush, and manpower is engaged in cleaning efforts. All Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance/ Air Traffic Management facilities are functioning normally" he said.

"Airlines and other stakeholders have been informed to plan their operations accordingly. AAI will share this information with the general public through social media. The Air Traffic Management (ATM) will prioritise departures to clear stranded passengers at the airport. Currently, there are 21 aircraft on the ground and around 1,500 passengers in the terminals" said a AAI official. Officials said Food and Beverage concessionaire has ensured an ample quantity of food is available in their outlets at the airport.

Also, read: Cyclone Michaung: Chennai hit by heavy rains; cars swept away, airport shut down. Videos

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu government declared a public holiday on December 5 in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts due to severe weather conditions.

Tamil Nadu Disaster Management Authority issued a work-from-home advisory to private companies, urging them to operate with only essential employees, on December 5.

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Separately, iPhone vendors Foxconn and Pegatron, as well as automobile firms Hyundai and others suspended their manufacturing operations due to floods.

Police reported eight deaths, including seven men and one woman, due to the cyclone. Waterlogging was reported in various areas of Chennai, affecting the tech corridor, Old Mahabalipuram Road, and near the World Trade Center at Perungudi. Low-lying areas, in particular, experienced water entering homes. Power outages were also reported across the city.

Southern Railway stated that train services to and from Chennai were affected, with cancellations, diversions, and terminations at Katpadi, particularly between Katpadi and Dr. MGR Chennai Central.

Also, read: Cyclone Michaung: Visuals of flooded Chennai airport go viral, 70 flights cancelled