Kolkata Airport remained operational despite torrential rain, but passengers endured a harrowing ordeal just to reach the terminal. Experts maintain that regardless of rainfall intensity, it shouldn't impede aircraft takeoffs and landings. The real challenge arises when erratic winds accompany the downpour, as witnessed on Monday night. Around 3 AM on Monday, when the rain was at its fiercest, gusty winds began to blow for a brief period. During this tumultuous interlude, an IndiGo flight from Pune, attempting to land in Kolkata, was forced to divert to Bhubaneswar. It eventually returned to Kolkata later in the afternoon.
A Kolkata Airport official stated, "Barring that single incident, no other flights were diverted that day. Water had accumulated in some parking bays and near hangars in the apron area (runway and adjacent zones). Pumps were deployed to drain out the accumulated water." However, a section of passengers complained that the airport's display board, which typically shows flight movements, had been non-functional since morning.
The real predicament lay elsewhere. The relentless overnight downpour on Monday left VIP Road - the arterial route connecting Bidhannagar to the airport - submerged at Haldiram junction and Dum Dum-connected Jessore Road by morning. Vehicles found themselves submerged in the waterlogged streets. Navigating these two roads to reach the airport proved to be a Herculean task.
Many passengers, in a desperate bid to catch their flights, abandoned their vehicles and attempted to wade through the water with their luggage in tow. Numerous travelers missed their flights. Those who tried to reach the airport via New Town found themselves stranded at the China Park intersection due to waterlogging.
A significant number of pilots and cabin crew from the city also failed to reach the airport on schedule. Kolkata serves as a departure point for numerous flights each morning. The delayed arrival of pilots and cabin crew resulted in approximately 40 flights being delayed on this particular day.
The crew shortage necessitated the cancellation of over 20 departures from Kolkata. Several flights to cities like Bhubaneswar, Patna, and Guwahati - which typically involve Kolkata-based aircraft flying out, picking up passengers, and returning - also had to be cancelled. Consequently, airport sources report that over 40 flights, including both outbound and inbound, were cancelled. The airport officers' shift duty commences at 8 AM. Many officers from the city couldn't make it for the morning shift, compelling the night shift officers to extend their duty hours.
