Flight operations at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar will be suspended for 16 hours starting Thursday evening, in anticipation of Cyclone Dana, officials announced.
“Airport operation will be suspended from 5 pm on October 24 to 9 am on October 25 due to cyclone Dana,” the statement said.
The cyclone, with wind speeds expected to reach up to 120 kmph, is projected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha by Friday morning, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The airport handles over 100 flights daily, with a footfall of nearly 15,000 passengers, officials added.
Additionally, the East Coast Railway has canceled 198 trains scheduled between October 23 and 25 as a precautionary measure ahead of the cyclone.
Similarly, the Kolkata airport authorities have decided to suspend flight operations for 15 hours from 6 pm on Thursday in view of the possible impact of cyclone Dana, an official said.
The step has been taken keeping in mind the safety of passengers, airline employees, various equipment, navigational aids and infrastructure, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) official said on Wednesday.