Ranchi: Inclement weather led to significant flight disruptions on Wednesday, as a Ranchi-bound IndiGo flight was compelled to return to Kolkata, while a Varanasi-bound Air India Express flight was diverted to Ranchi. The adverse conditions caused inconvenience for passengers and highlighted the impact of weather on air travel in the region.
Flight Details and Passenger Impact
According to Vinod Kumar, the director of Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi, the IndiGo flight, designated 6E 7317, was scheduled to arrive in Ranchi at 2:56 pm. However, due to poor visibility and unfavorable weather conditions, the aircraft was unable to land and had to return to its origin in Kolkata. The flight carried 68 passengers on board, all of whom were safely returned to Kolkata.
Simultaneously, an Air India Express flight bound for Varanasi from Delhi was diverted to Ranchi. This flight had 170 passengers who were rerouted due to the same weather system affecting the region. The airport authorities managed the situation efficiently, ensuring passenger safety and providing necessary assistance.
Rainfall and Temperature Patterns
The disruptions occurred on a day when several parts of the state experienced significant rainfall. Bokaro recorded 32.4 mm of rainfall, while Khunti received the highest in the state at 34.5 mm. Ranchi and Jamshedpur each recorded 2 mm of rainfall, and Daltonganj saw a mere 0.2 mm. Despite the rain, temperatures remained high across the region. Ranchi recorded a maximum temperature of 38.6 degrees Celsius, Jamshedpur 37.5 degrees Celsius, and Bokaro 36 degrees Celsius. Daltonganj recorded the highest temperature at 42.7 degrees Celsius.
Weather Forecast and Alerts
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a bulletin indicating that maximum temperatures across the state are likely to fall by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius until Saturday. This slight drop may bring some relief from the ongoing heat. Additionally, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for thunderstorm and gusty winds on Thursday for eastern and central parts of the state. The affected districts include West Singhbhum, East Singhbhum, Ranchi, Ramgarh, Hazaribag, Koderma, Giridih, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Jamtara, Deoghar, Dumka, Pakur, Godda, and Sahibganj. Residents and travelers in these areas are advised to remain cautious and stay updated on weather conditions.
