Chennai: The unexpected rains and strong winds disrupted flight operations at Chennai airport on Sunday, leading to the diversion of several incoming flights and delays in departures. Several arriving flights were diverted to Bengaluru and other airports in the state.
Airport officials reported that wind speeds reached approximately 46.5km/hour around 4pm. While pilots are trained to land under such conditions, many chose to divert as a precautionary measure to ensure passenger safety.

An IndiGo flight from Singapore was among the first to be affected. Unable to land due to the gusty winds around 3.55pm, the aircraft hovered over Chennai before being rerouted to Bengaluru. Around the same time, an IndiGo flight from Madurai to Chennai was diverted to Trichy, and an IndiGo flight from Trichy returned to its point of origin. An Air India flight from Coimbatore was delayed by 45 minutes after circling over Chennai before landing.
Flights departing to various destinations including Ahmedabad, Trichy, Colombo, Bengaluru, Ranchi, and Madurai were delayed by 30 minutes to two hours due to weather-related disruptions.
In addition to airport delays, many neighbourhoods and suburban areas in Chennai experienced power outages. Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) officials said power supply was suspended as a precaution due to strong winds and overcast skies. However, in several localities, power was not restored even after the rain had stopped, prompting complaints from residents.
The weather-related disruptions brought parts of the city to a temporary standstill, highlighting the need for enhanced preparedness during sudden climate events.