Chennai Airport Faces Flight Disruptions Due to Bhogi Festival Smoke
Multiple flights could not land at Chennai airport on Wednesday morning. Dense smoke from Bhogi festival celebrations caused this disruption. Airport officials confirmed the situation.
Visibility Plummets, Affecting Operations
Runway visibility dropped sharply to around 300 metres. This occurred from 7:00 am. The low visibility persisted until 8:00 am. Flight operations faced temporary effects during this period.
Authorities expected conditions to improve later in the day. They monitored the situation closely.
Pollution Control Board Issues Urgent Appeal
The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board made a strong plea to the public. They urged people to celebrate a smoke-free Bhogi festival. The board specifically advised against burning plastics, tyres, tubes, and other waste materials.
Officials cited clear environmental and health concerns. A TNPCB official explained the reasoning behind this appeal.
"Burning rubber, plastic and similar items in previous years created dense smoke," the official stated. "This smoke disrupted flight operations significantly. It also affected motorists on roads."
The official highlighted additional consequences. "Such burning practices cause serious air pollution. They create health hazards for residents. Common issues include eye irritation and persistent coughing."
Awareness Campaigns Aim to Curb Harmful Practices
To discourage these harmful burning practices, the board has launched awareness initiatives. They distribute informational hand-outs in communities. Audio messages play from auto-rickshaws across neighbourhoods.
These efforts aim to educate the public about safer celebration methods. The goal is to prevent similar disruptions in future years.
