As Cyclone Tauktae approaches the Western Coast of India, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) have temporarily suspended operations at major airports across Gujarat and Goa, sources in the know told Moneycontrol.
Operations of airports at Surat, Barodara, Lakswadeep, Bhavnagar, Port Bandar, Dui, Jamnagar, and Bhuj have been suspended until this evening, sources said.
The AAI has also directed all airport authorities concerned to undertake necessary precautionary measures. The airports have been advised to follow the standard operating procedures and guidelines to minimise damage.
The Civil Aviation Ministry will also have a meeting later in the day to take a decision on restarting the operations at the airports, sources said.
Earlier, the airport was supposed to remain shut for only 3 hours-- from 11 am to 2 pm on May 17 due to the cyclone alert. "Due to cyclone alert, Mumbai Airport operations need to be closed from 1100 hours to 1400 hours of 17th May," an official notification read.
The India Meteorological Department had issued a weather forecast regarding the pre-cyclone watch for south Gujarat and Diu coasts. As per the forecast, it is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours and intensify further.
It may also move north-northwestwards and reach near Gujarat coast by May 18 morning. A warning has been issued for Lakshadweep Islands, Kerala, Tamil Nadu (Ghat districts) and Karnataka (coastal and adjoining Ghat districts), the AAI said.
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