Mumbai monsoon mayhem: Air India offers full refunds to stranded passengers amid flight disruptions

New Delhi: Air India has announced measures to alleviate travel disruptions caused by heavy rains battering Mumbai and its suburbs. The airline has offered passengers booked for July 21, 2024, flights the option of a full refund or a one-time complimentary rescheduling. Concerned travelers are advised to verify their flight statuses before heading to the airport through Air India's dedicated flight status page.

According to a statement from Air India posted on X, travelers can also seek assistance through the airline's contact centers at 011 69329333 and 011 69329999.

Flight cancellations mount at Mumbai airport

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, the heavy downpour in Mumbai has resulted in significant disruptions to air travel, with reports indicating the cancellation of 36 flights on Sunday. Operations at the airport's runways were intermittently suspended twice within a short span due to heavy rain showers.

IndiGo and Air India were particularly affected, with 24 flights canceled, including 12 departures by IndiGo and eight by Air India. Vistara also canceled four flights scheduled to depart from Mumbai Airport, underscoring the widespread impact of the adverse weather conditions.

Mumbai grapples with intense rainfall

Mumbai and its adjoining suburbs experienced over 100 mm of rainfall within a 12-hour period, leading to waterlogged streets, flight diversions, and disruptions to local train services between Dadar and Matunga stations. The city recorded 101 mm of rainfall, while the eastern and western suburbs registered 121 mm and 113 mm respectively, according to officials.

Maharashtra CM urges preparedness amid severe weather

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has issued directives for heightened preparedness in light of the ongoing heavy rainfall in Mumbai. Emphasizing proactive measures, Shinde called upon the State Disaster Response Force, local authorities, civic bodies, and police to remain vigilant and coordinate closely with the India Meteorological Department. The aim is to ensure timely relief efforts and adequate support for affected citizens.

Shinde also stressed the importance of maintaining adequate stocks of essential supplies, establishing temporary shelter camps, and implementing traffic diversions where necessary to mitigate the impact of the inclement weather.