Cyclone Michaung: Flights to Chennai delayed

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has suspended flights from Colombo to Chennai due to extreme weather conditions battering the southern part of India.

Cyclone Michaung landfall has started near Bapatla on Andhra Pradesh coast after causing rain mayhem in Tamil Nadu. So far, at least nine people have died in rain-related incidents in Chennai.

SriLankan Airlines said that as a result of the extreme weather conditions in south India, two flights that were scheduled for Monday were cancelled.

The spokesperson added that flights to Chennai from Colombo will remain suspended until further notice.

Following the rainfall due to the Cyclone Michaung, the Chennai International Airport Authority has declared the airfield open for all arrival and departure operations on Tuesday.

In a post on X, Chennai (MAA) Airport wrote, “Airfield now open for all arrival and departure operations."

“No water stagnation on Track-while-searches (TWSs) and Range-while scans (RWSs). However, a lot of slush/filth is found. 4 CFTs (Contracted Flying Training and support) are deployed for clearing the same, and manpower is also engaged in cleaning work," the airport authority said in an official statement.

India's Andhra Pradesh remains on high alert as weather agencies have alerted that the storm caused by Cyclone Michaung is set to make landfall in the state on Tuesday, December 5. 

In anticipation of the storm caused by Cyclone Michaung hitting Andhra Pradesh soon, a red alert has been issued in eight areas - Tirupati, Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, West Godavari, Konaseema and Kakinada.