The Chennai Airport has resumed operations after being temporarily shut down due to heavy rainfall caused by Cyclone Michaung. Airport authorities reported that the rain has stopped, and water levels have gone down.
Although there’s no water accumulation on the runways and taxiways, four Crash Fire Tenders (CFTs) were deployed to clear the mud, and extra staff was involved in the cleanup.
All communication, navigation, surveillance (CNS), and air traffic management systems are working normally. Airlines and stakeholders have been advised to plan operations accordingly. Departures are being prioritized to assist stranded passengers.
Before the operations resumed, around 1500 passengers were present in the terminals, with 21 aircraft on the ground.
Cyclone Michaung’s heavy rainfall paralyzed Chennai, causing at least eight deaths in rain-related incidents. Several parts of the city were flooded, and power outages were widespread since Monday. Schools, colleges, offices, and banks remained closed in four districts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai.
Chief Minister MK Stalin visited affected areas and inspected a rain relief camp in Kannapar Thital in Chennai on Tuesday morning.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an update on the Severe Cyclonic Storm “MICHAUNG” over the Westcentral Bay of Bengal. Michaung was moving northward along and off the south Andhra Pradesh coast and was expected to make landfall near Bapatla within the next four hours. It maintained a severe cyclonic storm status with wind speeds of 90-100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph.
