Kolkata airport braces for impact from Cyclone Dana crosswinds

Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is bracing itself for an impact of Cyclone Dana expected to hit Calcutta in the next two days.

The airport is following standard operating procedures, such as inspecting its infrastructure and drainage systems, as well as checking and servicing all installations. The airport director, Pravat Ranjan Beuria, has claimed that the potential impact on flight operations will depend on the situation after the cyclone makes landfall.

Experts believe that the airport could be shut down for several hours even if Cyclone Dana spares Calcutta.

In a meeting with the airport authorities, the Met Department predicted crosswinds at 50-70kmph and rainfall between 70mm and 200mm in Dum Dum between October 24 afternoon and the next morning.

Crosswinds above 70kmph are dangerous for flights. The airport has two parallel runways stretch in a north-south direction. The winds from the Bay of Bengal are supposed to blow from east to west. Which means flights would face crosswinds while landing and taking off.

“The critical effect of the cyclone will start on October 24 afternoon and the landfall is expected early on October 25. At present, all operations are normal,” the airport authorities said.

A panel of airport management and security will conduct a review meeting at 12.30 pm on Wednesday and a decision will be taken on whether to shut down the airport or not.

“Any decision on closing the airport will depend on the speed of the crosswinds,” the official said.

In May, the airport was shut down for 21 hours because of crosswinds triggered by Cyclone Remal. More than 400 flights were cancelled and more than 200 overflying flights were diverted.
Besides heavy rain could lead to waterlogging in some of the operational areas, which can affect flight operations.