As the suspension of flight operations at Kolkata airport nears due to Cyclone Dana, authorities have initiated safety measures to protect passengers, aircraft, and infrastructure. Flight services will be halted for 15 hours, starting from 6 PM on Thursday.
After the last flight departs, all entry and exit points of the terminal will be sealed, and aircraft on the tarmac will be securely tied down, according to Dr. Pravat Ranjan Beuria, the airport’s director. “In addition, all aerobridges will be retracted and ladders will be tied together to prevent those from moving and hitting planes during the storm,” Beuria said.
Following standard operating procedures, all vehicles used in airside operations will be cleared from the area, and ground handling equipment will be chained together to prevent movement from strong winds. “All ground handling equipment will also be chained together so that nothing moves due to the gusts,” the airport director said.
Ground handling units will ensure that no work-related materials are left outside, minimising the risk of flying debris that could damage aircraft. Additional safety measures include lowering high mast lights and mooring smaller aircraft, sources said. No light objects or loose items will be left outdoors, and pumps are on standby to prevent waterlogging in the event of heavy rainfall caused by the cyclone.
The state government has also been alerted to ensure that the areas surrounding the airport, both city-side and airside, remain free of flooding, ensuring clear access roads when flight operations resume at 9 AM on Friday. “I’ve written to the Public Works Department’s chief engineer regarding this,” Beuria noted.
Due to the anticipated impact of Cyclone Dana, which is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain to West Bengal, including Kolkata, flight operations will be suspended from 6 PM on October 24 to 9 AM on October 25. The cyclone is forecasted to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha early Friday, with winds potentially reaching speeds of 120 km/h during landfall, according to the IMD.