Incessant rain in Mumbai and neighboring areas has severely disrupted normal life and flight operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. As a result, major airlines like IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet have issued advisories to passengers, warning of potential delays and cancellations.
Impact on Flight Operations
The continuous and heavy rainfall has caused significant delays in flight schedules. Poor visibility due to heavy rainfall and gusty winds led to a brief suspension of flight operations at Mumbai airport on Thursday morning. Operations resumed after around 20 minutes, but the situation remains precarious. Visibility was recorded at 1000 meters, and Runway Visual Range (RVR) at 1200 meters at 10:55 am.
Airline Advisories
IndiGo
IndiGo has reported periodic delays in their flight schedules due to the persistent rains. The low-cost carrier is working tirelessly to provide real-time updates to passengers. They advise everyone to check their flight status before heading to the airport. “We are relentlessly working to ensure smooth operations and expect these delays to significantly reduce once the weather improves,” IndiGo stated.
Air India
Air India has also alerted its passengers about potential disruptions. The airline advised, “Flights to and from Mumbai may get affected due to heavy rains. Guests are advised to start early for the airport, as slow traffic and waterlogging may delay movement. Please check flight status before heading to the airport.”
SpiceJet
SpiceJet echoed similar concerns, stating that all departures and arrivals, as well as their consequential flights at Mumbai airport, might be impacted due to adverse weather conditions. The airline advised passengers to keep a check on their flight status.
Government Response
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has been closely monitoring the heavy rain and flood situation in various districts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Kolhapur, and Sangli. “The disaster management system of all the districts and the concerned officials of the district administration have been instructed to provide the necessary assistance to the people as soon as possible without any delay in the rescue and relief work,” Pawar stated. He urged people to step out of their homes only if necessary and to be vigilant while traveling.
Conclusion
The heavy rains in Mumbai have caused significant disruptions in flight operations, prompting major airlines to issue advisories to passengers. IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet have all alerted travelers to check their flight status before heading to the airport and to expect potential delays and cancellations. The government is actively monitoring the situation and providing necessary assistance to those affected by the weather.
