Flight operations at Mumbai airport were disrupted due to heavy rain and gusting winds triggered by the intensifying of cyclone Biparjoy into an “extremely severe cyclonic storm” in the Arabian Sea on Sunday evening.
Several flights were cancelled or delayed owing to the weather conditions, while some were forced to abort landing.
Air India tweeted: “Inclement weather conditions and the temporary closure of Runway 09/27 at the Mumbai airport, in addition to other consequential factors beyond our control have resulted in delays and cancellation of some of our flights. We regret the inconvenience caused to our guests, as we make all effort to minimise the disruptions,” Air India tweeted.
“The agony as flight delays are equally troublesome for us. It is only under extremely uncontrollable situations we’re compelled to make such changes in the schedule. We look forward to your kind understanding,” IndiGo tweeted in response to a passenger.
India Meteorological Department has issued a ‘thunderstorm’ alert for coastal Maharashtra. The extremely severe cyclonic storm Biparjoy is currently lying about 550 km west of Mumbai and 450 km south-southwest of Porbandar, according to the weather bulletin.
IMD issued a warning on the intensified Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm “Biparjoy” striking the Saurashtra and Kutch Coasts in Gujarat on 15th June with wind speeds gusting up to 150 km an hour.