A fierce Kalbaisakhi storm (locally known as a Nor’wester) caused major disruption in Kolkata on Saturday evening, forcing several flights to divert mid-air for safety reasons.
According to officials at Biju Patnaik International Airport, eight flights bound for Kolkata had to be rerouted to Bhubaneswar after violent winds and heavy rain made landing in Kolkata impossible.
Six Flights Return After Weather Clears
Once the weather conditions in Kolkata began to improve, six out of the eight diverted flights were given the green signal to return. Bhubaneswar airport authorities confirmed that these flights took off safely after a temporary grounding.
However, two flights remain grounded at Bhubaneswar as of the latest updates, awaiting further clearance or alternate plans.
Passengers Face Long Delays and Congestion
The sudden diversions led to a chaotic scene at Bhubaneswar Airport. Terminals became crowded as hundreds of stranded passengers waited anxiously for updates. Many had to spend several hours inside the airport with limited information initially.
Despite the chaos, airport staff and airline teams worked together to manage the situation. They provided regular updates, refreshments, and assistance to stranded travelers to ease the inconvenience.
Visuals from the airport showed long queues, people resting on chairs and floors, and announcements being made continuously.
Constant Monitoring and Coordination
Airport officials in Bhubaneswar stressed that they were monitoring the situation closely. They remained in constant communication with Kolkata Airport authorities, ensuring that flights would depart only when it was completely safe.
Authorities also mentioned that if weather conditions continued to improve, they would either allow the remaining two flights to proceed to Kolkata or arrange alternate travel options for affected passengers.
Situation Easing Gradually
Meanwhile, in Kolkata, things are slowly returning to normal. As the intensity of the Nor’wester storm has started subsiding, flight operations are being gradually restored.
