Flights to Chennai disrupted by Cyclone Vardah

Dubai: Emirates airline flights from and to Chennai, India, were disrupted on Monday after a severe tropical storm lashed India’s southeast coast, the airline confirmed.

All flights at Chennai airport were suspended as Cyclone Vardah made landfall and roared inland with winds up to 140 km/h, said authorities, who confirmed that as many as two people were killed by the violent storm.

Media reports said almost 50 flights were delayed or diverted away from Chennai airport.

An Emirates spokesperson told Gulf News that the cyclone and heavy rains forced air traffic delays and prompted Emirates to divert its aircraft away from the Chennai airport.

It’s not known how long the flight disruptions will last.  

“Severe weather conditions in Chennai due to Tropical Cyclone Vardah on 12th December 2016 has caused diversions and delays of some Emirates flights arriving and departing at Chennai International Airport,” said an Emirates spokesperson.

“Emirates urges customers to check their flight status on http://www.emirates.com/english/plan_book/flight_status/flightstatus.aspx for the latest information regarding their flights,” said the spokesperson.

Etihad Airways told Gulf News that its ‎flight “EY238 from Abu Dhabi to Chennai has diverted to Bangalore this morning (12 December) due to high winds caused by tropical cyclone Vardah.”

Worsening conditions in Chennai also prompted Etihad to cancel three other flights, said a spokesperson on Monday.

Flights EY239 departing Chennai 09.20 - arriving Abu Dhabi 12.20 and EY270 departing Abu Dhabi 14.10 - arriving Chennai 19.40 as well as EY 271 departing Chennai at 21.15 - arriving Abu Dhabi 00.15 (on 13 December) are all cancelled, the spokesperson said.

“Impacted guests are being informed of itinerary changes and are being assisted and re-accommodated on other airlines where possible to enable them to continue their journey as quickly as possible. The airline is closely monitoring the weather situation in Chennai, which is expected to ease later [on Monday],” said the Etihad spokesperson.”As a result of these cancellations, an upgraded aircraft is being brought in to operation to accommodate the extra passengers on the following flights.” 

“Etihad Airways regrets the inconvenience caused, but as always, the safety of our guests remains the number one priority,” said the spokesperson. 

For information on the status of their flights, guests are advised to contact the Etihad Airways Contact Centre on + 18 00 223 901 and + 18 00 209 0808 (India) or + 971 (0) 2 599 0000 (UAE).

According to India local news outlets, Cyclone Vardah was so intense that its tore a path a destruction along the southeastern coast ripping out trees, downing power lines and wreaking widespread damage on residences.

Schools were shuttered.

Weather authorities predicted that residents across the coastal area and low-lying areas inland will be subjected to three days of heavy rains, although the storm is expected to weaken as it moves farther inland.

Authorities reported waves as high as seven metres from the force of the storm.

In a tweet, the National Disaster Management Authority, warned people living in the area "to remain in safe places and cooperate with state government officials and disaster management agencies,” media reported.