Mumbai: Operations of air travel have been impacted due to severe rainfall, which has led to the cancellation and diversion of several flights.
In response to this, Air India has announced its commitment to provide full refunds or a one-time complimentary rescheduling option for any bookings made for travel on Thursday.
Furthermore, the airline has shared a link, urging passengers to verify the status of their flights before proceeding to the airport.
"The city of Mumbai has been significantly affected by heavy rainfall, leading to disruptions in flight schedules and the cancellation of some flights. In light of this, Air India is extending full refund or rescheduling options for all bookings made for travel on Thursday, July 25, 2024," the airline has posted on their website.
The airline has also emphasized the importance for passengers to check their flight status before en route to the airport.
Earlier in the day, Air India issued a cautionary notice to travelers regarding the potential for flight delays and diversions due to the heavy rainfall.
"Due to the adverse weather conditions caused by heavy rain, flights originating and terminating in Mumbai are anticipated to face challenges. We advise our guests to arrive at the airport well in advance to accommodate possible delays due to slow-moving traffic and waterlogging." This statement was made earlier this morning.
Additionally, earlier in the day, the functioning of the Andheri Subway in Mumbai was temporarily suspended for all vehicle traffic due to severe waterlogging. The relentless rainfall has exacerbated the challenges faced by Mumbai and its surrounding suburbs, leading to reports of waterlogging across numerous low-lying areas in the region.
The incessant rainfall overnight has further disrupted public transport services, causing significant inconvenience to a large number of commuters.
According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the weather forecast for today at 8 am indicates a possibility of moderate to heavy rain showers across the city and its periphery. The forecast also suggests the likelihood of very heavy rainfall in certain localized areas. Furthermore, there is a forecast of gusty winds reaching speeds up to 50 kmph.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has also reported that the reservoirs responsible for supplying water to Mumbai are currently overwhelmed by the heavy rainfall, resulting in a continuous rise in water storage levels. Consequently, the city is facing an anomaly in its water supply. Given the prevailing circumstances, the water restriction of 10% across Mumbai's water supply has been lifted, commencing from Monday, July 29. Similarly, the water restriction of 10% across Thane City, Bhiwandi, and the Outskirts Division of the City, as well as the water supply areas under the jurisdiction of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, will also be discontinued, starting from Monday, July 29.
Moreover, the Indian Meteorological Department has issued a severe red alert for Maharashtra, warning of exceptionally heavy rainfall. This follows an orange alert being issued on Wednesday, signaling an expectation of heavy to very heavy rainfall, anticipated to range between 115.6 to 204.4 mm over a period of 24 hours, from Thursday to Friday, July 26 to July 27, in the state of Maharashtra. An orange alert has also been notified for the Thane, Palghar, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts in the Konkan region of Maharashtra.
