Heavy rain pounded Chennai and its surrounding areas through the night, disrupting air traffic at the city’s international airport. Officials reported that services of more than 20 flights were affected.
An IndiGo passenger flight from Kolkata carrying 184 passengers was unable to land in Chennai and was diverted to Hyderabad, according to reports.
More than 10 incoming flights from cities including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Madurai and Tiruchirappalli were forced to circle in the air for an extended period. After the rain eased, the aircraft landed one after another.
Departures from Chennai also faced delays. International services to destinations such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Sri Lanka, Frankfurt and Abu Dhabi, along with domestic flights to Tiruchirappalli, Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, departed about one to two hours late.
Passengers also faced difficulties as rainwater surged through the portico area of the Chennai International Airport, creating flood-like conditions at the entrance.
