Commercial flights to Kochi resume after Navy opens up airstrip for civilian use

Mangalore Today News Network

Kerala, Aug 20, 2018 : The first commercial flight landed today in Kochi over a fortnight after air traffic to the city was completely shut down due to massive flooding at the Cochin International Airport. Operations at the Kochi airport still remain suspended, but an Alliance Air, an Air India subsidiary, flight landed today at the city’s naval airstrip, which has been opened up the Indian Navy for commercial operations.

 

The Alliance Air flight took off from Benglauru and landed at INS Garuda, a naval air station. This is the first time in years at that the Navy base has been opened for civilian traffic.

Operations at the Cochin International Airport have been completely shut since last week due to massive flooding at the airfield. The airport is shut until August 26, prompting the Indian Navy to offer its airstrip for civilian use.

The situation at the Kochi airport is part of a larger tragedy in Kerala where more than 200 people have been killed in just the last ten days. Heavy rain and flooding have savaged the state, displacing more than seven lakh people, destroying thousands of hectares of crops, and causing huge damage to infrastructure.

Kerala saw some respite over the weekend, with rain abating after two weeks of non-stop onslaught. The rainfall intensity over Kerala has decreased over the past two days, the meteorology department said, adding there is no alert of heavy precipitation for the next four days.

However, thousands of people are still stranded and as many remain in relief camps across the state.


courtesy: Indiatoday