Chennai International airport in India has been forced to close and cancel all aircraft movements as a result of severe weather conditions since December 1. The airport has been hit by severe storms and flooding caused by a major depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal. The airport is closed for all operations as water has reached the runway and there are safety concerns. Airport management is monitoring the situation on an on-going basis but the airport will likely remain closed for at least one or two more days. The airport said that priority would be given to takeoff movements in an attempt to clear the backlog of stranded passengers. More than a dozen trains have also been cancelled after flood waters inundated the tracks. Vessel movements are continuing although cargo operations have slowed down. The Indian Bureau of Metrology has warned of more storms and flooding in Chennai and Tamil Nadu state over the next few days.
