Chennai faced significant disruption on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, as heavy rains led to the cancellation of 12 domestic and international flights. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) confirmed that flights to and from destinations like Singapore, Muscat, Bhubaneswar, New Delhi, Visakhapatnam, and Kochi were canceled due to commercial reasons cited by the respective airlines.
Despite the flight cancellations, the Chennai airport continues to operate normally, though passengers are advised to check with their airlines for further updates and rebooking options. Among the canceled flights were Akasa Air services from Bengaluru and Andaman, an IndiGo flight from New Delhi, and an Oman Air flight from Muscat, as per a report on IANS. The airport has requested passengers to remain updated on delays in arrival and departure times.
The Regional Meteorological Centre reported that Chennai recorded an average rainfall of 6.9 cm in the last 24 hours. Ennore in North Chennai received the heaviest downpour at 10 cm, followed by Manali and Kolathur, which recorded 9 cm of rain. The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) also reported localized heavy rainfall with the Ayyapakkam area recording 3.3 cm of rain in just one hour, between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m, as reported by IANS.
As a result of the downpour, several areas including Kolathur, Vyasarpadi, Pulianthope, and Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) experienced waterlogging. The GCC has deployed teams equipped with motor pumps to clear the stagnant water and minimize disruptions to daily life.