Chennai, Nov 25 (UNI) The Chennai airport will remain

closed for 12 hours from 7.00 P.M tonight to 7.00 A.M.

tomorrow morning in view of very severe cyclonic storm

Nivar, which would cross the coast past midnight.

This followed cancellation of 26 flights that were either

scheduled to depart for several destinations or arrive at

the airport here.

The decision to close down the airport for 12 hours was

taken after Airports Authority of India official held urgent

discussions via video-conferencing with the civil aviation

officials in New Delhi.

All domestic, international and cargo services would remain

closed during this period.

As there was a possibility of airport runway getting flooded

following release of surplus waters from the Chembarambakkam

lake and flood warning issued to 20 villages, the airport was

closed as a precautionary measure.

It may be recalled that the runway was flooded during the

December 2015 floods and since there was a possibility of

it happening now, the airport was closed, airport sources

said.

Earlier, 26 flights were cancelled due to the cyclone.

The cancelled flights include those to Kannur, Kozhikode,

Vijayawada, Tiruchi, Thoothukudi, Bengaluru, Mangalore

and Hubli.

UNI XC-GV 1825