Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) faced significant disruption on July 6, with 17 flights canceled and 217 experiencing delays across both arrivals and departures. The widespread operational issues were a direct consequence of relentless heavy rainfall affecting the region.
Airlines Issue Advisories Amidst Monsoon Chaos
As weather conditions showed no signs of improvement, major carriers quickly moved to inform passengers. Akasa Air released a statement indicating that "Due to heavy rainfall in Mumbai, Pune and Goa, some flights across our network may be delayed," advising travelers to verify their flight status well in advance of their journey.
IndiGo echoed similar warnings, stating that "Bad weather over Mumbai may impact flight schedules." The airline confirmed it is actively monitoring the situation and providing assistance to affected passengers, encouraging them to stay updated via its website or app.
Previous Day's Severe Disruptions
The disruptions on July 6 followed an even more challenging day on July 5, when CSMIA was identified by Flightradar24 as the most disrupted airport globally. On that day, at least four flights were canceled, and 13 were diverted due to adverse weather. Data revealed an average delay of approximately 50 minutes, impacting nearly 22% of flights throughout the day.
Runway operations were temporarily suspended for a full hour between 10:17 am and 11:17 am on July 5. This crucial measure was taken after a combination of intense rainfall, significantly reduced visibility, and strong gusty winds reaching up to 42 knots compromised safety conditions. Operations resumed only after a marked improvement in weather.
Red Alert Issued for Mumbai
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed Mumbai under a red alert, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds for the coming days. Authorities have cautioned that these severe conditions are likely to continue impacting aviation, as well as road and rail networks across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Mumbai has already recorded rainfall significantly above normal levels this monsoon season, placing sustained pressure on the city's infrastructure and transport systems. The current spell represents one of the most severe phases of the monsoon so far, marked by repeated weather alerts and continuous disruptions over the past several days.