New Delhi: Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu directed his Ministry officials to continuously monitor the situation arising in the wake of cyclonic storm Fani which made landfall earlier in the day in Odisha.
In a tweet, Prabhu said that aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will be issuing revised advisories to airlines as and when necessary.
“Directed Secreatry @MoCA to continuously monitor the situation. DGCA will be issuing revised advisories to Airlines as and when necessary. Taking all possible steps for passenger safety and to minimise their inconvenience. #CycloneFaniUpdates #CycloneFani,” Prabhu tweeted.
Earlier in the day, DGCA revised the closure time for the Kolkata airport due to extremely severe cyclonic storm.
In line with the DGCA directive, the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkatra shut operations starting 3.00 p.m on Friday till 8.00 a.m on Saturday.
On Thursday, the DGCA had issued an advance order to cancel all flights to and from Kolkata between 9.30 p.m on Friday and 6 p.m. on Saturday to ensure safety of operations.
Fani, with wind speed touching nearly 200 kmph, made landfall earlier on Friday on the eastern coast in Odisha. It will cross several districts in the state before advancing to West Bengal.
[source_without_link]IANS[/source_without_link]