Kolkata: The country’s weather is taking a turn for the worse again, as Cyclone Remal intensifies in the Bay of Bengal. Yesterday, Kolkata Airport was forced to close, significantly affecting flight operations. The severe impact of Cyclone Remal led to the cancellation of flights, including the Kolkata-Indore route.
Kolkata Airport Closure
Kolkata Airport was shut down from 12 noon yesterday until 9 am today, following a warning from the Meteorological Department about Cyclone Remal hitting the coast of West Bengal. Consequently, Indigo Airlines cancelled flight 6E-798, which was scheduled to depart Kolkata for Indore at 8:35 pm and return at 9:20 pm. Passengers were promptly informed, with options for refunds and rebooking provided to mitigate inconvenience.
Flight Diversions in Indore
In Indore, the situation was equally challenging due to evening storms. Strong winds prevented Indigo flight 6E-6915 from landing. This flight, arriving from Hyderabad at 3:35 pm and scheduled to continue to Mumbai at 4:05 pm, had to be diverted to Bhopal as wind speeds reached 70 kilometers per hour. The aircraft, carrying 191 passengers, eventually landed in Indore at 6:10 pm and departed for Mumbai at 7:11 pm once conditions improved. Passengers experienced significant delays and discomfort due to these disruptions.
Impact on Passengers
The cancellation and delay of flights caused considerable inconvenience for passengers. Both Kolkata and Indore airports witnessed operational challenges, underscoring the severe weather’s impact on air travel. Airlines and airport authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, prioritizing passenger safety amid the adverse weather conditions caused by Cyclone Remal..