Chennai Airport Paralyzed by Dense Fog, Multiple Flights Diverted
Early morning fog severely disrupted operations at Chennai International Airport on Sunday, forcing the diversion of at least seven flights and causing significant delays for departing aircraft. The sudden drop in runway visibility created chaos for both international and domestic travelers, with weather experts warning that similar conditions may persist, albeit with reduced intensity, over the next two days.
Flight Diversions and Operational Disruptions
As runway visibility plummeted to a critical 150 meters by 7:30 AM, airport authorities were compelled to divert incoming flights to alternative airports. The disruption began when visibility started decreasing around 3:30 AM, dropping dramatically from 1,500 meters at 5:30 AM to the dangerously low level two hours later.
International flights affected included:
- An IndiGo flight from Kuala Lumpur, originally scheduled for 7 AM arrival, was redirected to Bengaluru
- An AirAsia flight also from Kuala Lumpur, due at 7:26 AM, was diverted to Trichy
- An Emirates Airlines flight from Dubai was rerouted to Bengaluru
Domestic operations suffered equally:
- An IndiGo flight from Mumbai (scheduled 6:35 AM) was diverted to Bengaluru
- Another IndiGo flight from Pune (7:10 AM) was redirected to Coimbatore
- An Air India Express flight that had already departed Bengaluru for Chennai at 7:15 AM was forced to return to its origin airport after receiving information about the deteriorating visibility conditions
- An IndiGo flight from Hyderabad was diverted to Tirupati
Departure Procedures and Weather Analysis
Departing flights operated under strict low-visibility procedures, with some carriers like Sri Lankan Airlines experiencing delayed departures. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributed the sudden fog formation to a combination of meteorological factors including high humidity levels, light wind conditions, and lower nighttime temperatures.
V R Durai, Director of the Regional Weather Forecasting Centre, provided scientific insight into the phenomenon, explaining that "the fog Tamil Nadu witnesses is called radiation fog—it differs significantly from the fog experienced in northern regions."
The scientist elaborated: "This specific type of fog forms due to temperature inversion. With clear skies prevailing over recent days, heat radiation from the earth's surface has been particularly high. Consequently, temperature loss becomes more pronounced, resulting in colder conditions at ground level while higher temperatures persist at altitudes between 30 to 100 feet above ground. This temperature differential causes atmospheric vapor to condense, leading to the dense fog formation."
Weather Forecast and Continuing Impact
IMD officials have indicated that Chennai will likely experience light to moderate fog conditions on Monday, with expectations of further reduction by Tuesday. The meteorological department continues to monitor the situation closely, advising airlines and airport authorities to prepare for potential operational challenges.
The widespread flight disruptions highlight the vulnerability of aviation operations to sudden weather changes, particularly during early morning hours when temperature variations are most pronounced. Airport officials have implemented contingency measures to handle the ongoing situation while minimizing inconvenience to passengers affected by the diversions and delays.
