Rain disrupts life in Andaman, passengers stranded at airport

Port Blair, May 10 (UNI) A heavy spell of rain since last night has left more than 500 passengers stranded at the Port Blair International Airport and clogged up traffic in several parts of the city.

Sources in the Airports Authority of India(AAI) here today said that as the runway had been inundated with the rainwater, no flights could land at the airport this morning.

''Work is going on to pump out rainwater from the runway.

However, there is still lot of mud on it,'' the sources said.

Dozens of area in the city, including Mohanpur, Schooline, Marina Park, Protherapur, Sippighta and Austinabad were inundated with rainwater.

Authorities said the flooding was due to heavy rain clubbed with high tide, making it impossible for rainwater to drain out into the Andaman Sea.

The AAI has closed down all operations at the airport today due to the inclement weather affecting more than 500 passengers, mostly tourists, who kept their fingers crossed throughout the entire morning as they could not return to mainland country today.

Due to cancellation of flights, there was a huge chaos at the airport. While the troubled passengers were found busy in making alternative arrangements, tour operators and tourist agencies made brisk business.

''I just want to get back to my place at any cost,'' said D Achutan, a passenger from Chennai, who struck at Port Blair Airport.

Presently, Port Blair International Airport connects with at least eight daily aircrafts coming from Kolkata and Chennai.

Meanwhile, power supply also remained affected in the capital city since last night owing to the unfavourable weather.

According to police control room, reports of two huts of Brookshabad area in South Andaman being washed away by the heavy flow of water came in.

Meanwhile, more reports of several houses getting severely damaged were also coming in.

UNI SKR LL/src1514