Heavy rains lashed parts of Mumbai as the intensity of cyclone Biparjoy increased, affecting flight operations at the airport on Sunday evening. At least four flights were diverted to other airports and several other flights scheduled in the evening witnessed delays.
Mumbai city as well as coastal parts of the state also witnessed strong winds as the intensity of cyclone Biparjoy increased bringing rains to the western parts of the state. Strong winds also affected the air quality and visibility due to dust particles.
Several panic-stricken passengers who were stranded at the airport, complained of delays and flight cancellations on Twitter.
"Utter chaos @AkasaAir at Mumbai Airport. Flight to Bangalore is twice delayed and gate changed FIVE times. Making people look jokers and run around the airport with luggage! Beyond ridiculous! Such shame! 8.15 new take off time and boarding yet to begin! Ppl furious now!" a passenger tweeted.
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Another passenger claimed that they were not being provided accommodation despite waiting in the airport for over five hours.
Meanwhile, airlines issued statements regarding closure of runways owing to the weather conditions.
"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 disruptionsm" Air India tweeted.
Responding to a tweet by a passenger, airline Indigo said, "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."
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Meanwhile, the weather office has issued a 'thunderstorm' alert for some districts in coastal Maharashtra. Several parts of Mumbai and Maharashtra received rains on Sunday night, an IMD official said.
(With inputs from PTI)
