Flights Slowly Resume At Rain-Hit Mumbai Airport

After runway operations were suspended in the early hours of July 8, 2024, flights have slowly started resuming at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) on July 9 as Mumbai continues to grapple with heavy downpours and adverse weather conditions.

Flights and airport services were temporarily halted on July 8 from 2:22AM to 3:40AM, resulting in numerous flight diversions and cancellations. The suspension of services led to the diversion of at least 27 flights. By 11AM on Monday, the CSMIA reported that 51 flights to and from Mumbai had been cancelled, including 42 IndiGo flights, six Air India flights and two Air India Express flights.

Maharashtra's capital city has witnessed heavy showers in the last few days, causing massive waterlogging in several areas such as Worli, Buntara Bhavan, Kurla East, the King's Circle area and Dadar. On Monday, the city experienced severe rainfall that submerged roads and railway tracks. The Andheri subway had to be temporarily closed due to flooding, with traffic being redirected to S V Road.

Flights that were set to land in Mumbai on Monday were redirected to alternative airports such as Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Indore. The airport authorities prioritised incoming flights, resulting in further delays for departing flights.

The CSMIA then released an advisory requesting passengers “to connect with their respective airlines and check on the status of their flights before leaving for the airport.” It went on to add that “passengers are also advised to leave for the airport earlier than usual, in order to evade traffic congestions.”

Airlines like IndiGo, Air India, Vistara and SpiceJet also issued travel advisories as flights scheduled to land in Mumbai were diverted. Some airlines have offered the option to seek alternate flights or claim a full refund.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a “red alert” for Mumbai on July 9, urging residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary. The Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde has reviewed the flood situation in Mumbai and the state, highlighting the severity of the conditions. Schools and colleges in Mumbai and Thane have been closed due to the intense rainfall warnings.

(With inputs from multiple sources)