Chennai rain: 1500 passengers stranded, airport closed

CHENNAI: As many as 3,500 people, including nearly 1,500 passengers, were stranded at the Chennai international airport, which has been closed for operations till Thursday morning following the flooding of the runway.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) said all the stranded passengers are being moved out of the airport, but did not reveal the exact number of those evacuated so far.
A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) has been issued by AAI, which manages the airport, to all the air operators about the suspension of flight operations till 6am on Thursday. This notice is a communication that informs pilots about potential risks to flight safety.
The process of evacuation of passengers is underway. A senior airport official said 66 arrivals and 53 departures have been cancelled since 8pm on Tuesday.
Chennai Airport authorities had initially shut operations till Wednesday morning, but extended the shutdown following incessant rains. Nearly 35-37 aircraft, mostly belonging to domestic airlines, are grounded at the airport.
Spicejet said in a statement that it has suspended all operations at the Chennai airport till further instructions
The situation at the airport would be reviewed again on Thursday morning before giving the go ahead for resumption of flight operations, the official said.