Last Updated: March 31, 2024, 23:07 IST
Guwahati [Gauhati], India
The storm uprooted a large tree at the Oil India complex outside the Adani Group-controlled facility and blocked a road, Chief Airport Officer (CAO) Utpal Baruah said. (Screen-grab via X)
A video of the incident has been going viral on social media, showing a portion of the ceiling collapsing. Other videos depicted airport employees attempting to remove excess water from inside the building
A sudden heavy rain and strong winds caused chaos at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport on Sunday, prompting the authorities to briefly halt operations and divert six flights to other destinations.
A video of the incident has been going viral on social media, showing a portion of the ceiling collapsing. Other videos depicted airport employees attempting to remove excess water from inside the building.
The storm uprooted a large tree at the Oil India complex outside the Adani Group-controlled facility and blocked a road, Chief Airport Officer (CAO) Utpal Baruah told news agency PTI.
“We immediately rushed there and cleared the road for smooth supply of fuel to the terminal. It took us over half-an-hour,” he said. When the rain and storm lashed the area, a portion of the roof was blown away in the forecourt area, Baruah said.
“It was very old and could not withstand the impact. Due to this, the ceiling broke open and water started flowing inside. However, there was no injury and everything is under control,” he said.
Baruah also said that water entered the terminal from the ceiling. “I am personally monitoring the situation so that passengers do not face any inconvenience. Due to the storm and heavy rain, the visibility dropped drastically and we had to divert six flights,” the CAO said.
He stated that flights operated by IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express were diverted to Agartala and Kolkata. “The visibility has improved and normal operations have resumed. Flights have started landing in Guwahati,” Baruah added.