At least six Kolkata bound flights were diverted to Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIAP)in Bhubaneswar due to inclement weather condition and heavy rains in West Bengal, official sources said on Monday.
At least 26 flights were affected in Kolkata as some could not take off while some incoming ones were diverted to other destinations on Monday.
While six flights were diverted to Bhubaneswar, some others have been diverted to Guwahati and other airports in the region, officials said adding that the number of diversion may increase.
The passengers are being provided with required facilities till departure of their flights, an official said. Several flights to Bhubaneswar from Kolkata were delayed as they could not take off from Kolkata
Heavy rain accompanied by gusty wind battered the southern districts of West Bengal since early Monday, as the Met department forecast more downpour and high wind till Tuesday.
Incessant rain and squally wind affected normal life in the metropolis on the first working day of the week. Waterlogging and uprooted trees blocked some thoroughfares of the city, delaying the morning rush hour traffic.
Many schools reopened on Monday after the Durga Puja vacation and students were inconvenienced due to the heavy rain.
Some schools declared a holiday owing to the inclement weather.
"A depression has formed over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining north Bay of Bengal and lay centred about 50 km southeast of Kolkata at 5.30 am today (Monday)," the Met department said.
The system is very likely to move initially west-northwestwards and intensify into a deep depression during the next 24 hours, it said.
Under its influence, rainfall will occur at most places over Gangetic West Bengal, north Odisha and east Jharkhand, with heavy to very heavy precipitation at isolated places in these areas, the Met department said in its forecast till Wednesday morning.
Squally wind reaching a speed of 45 to 55 km per hour, gusting to 65 km per hour would prevail along and off north Odisha and West Bengal coasts, it said.
Strong wind speed reaching 30 to 40 km per hour gusting to 50 km per hour would prevail over the interior parts of Gangetic West Bengal.
Sea condition would be rough in north Odisha and West Bengal till Tuesday.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea during the period.
Train services in all the sections of Eastern Railway are normal till 11am except for slight delay in the running of some EMU locals owing to the weather condition, ER spokesman R N Mahapatra said.
"All trains of South Eastern Railway are running as per schedule and there is no disruption so far," SER spokesman Sanjoy Ghosh said.
(With inputs from PTI, IANS)
