Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, AUG 9 (NPN): Normal flight operations resumed at Dimapur Airport on Sunday after all flights were cancelled on Saturday due to runway waterlogging amid heavy rainfall.
Speaking exclusively to Nagaland Post, Airport Authority of India (AAI) Dimapur Airport Director Moa Pongen informed that there were no flight cancellations on Sunday and that the runway remained fully operational.
Pongen said the runway was inundated following “abnormal rainfall” of approximately 111 mm on Saturday, leading to a temporary disruption of flight services.
He said the runway was cleared between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday itself, following which flight operations returned to normal from Sunday.
He explained that under normal rainfall conditions, the runway was capable of sustaining operations, but unprecedented or excessive rainfall increased the likelihood of disruptions and cancellations.
On measures to address the issue, the Airport director said Dimapur Airport was located in a low-lying area, making it susceptible to waterlogging during heavy rains. “Natural calamities cannot be prevented, but mitigation measures are being pursued,” he said.
Pongen informed that AAI Dimapur Airport had already written to the concerned authorities for widening and enhancement of the airport’s drainage system to better handle such situations in the future.
He added that officials from the department of Water Resources visited the site on Saturday for inspection and assessment.