Fears of Chennai Airport Shutdown During Heavy Rains Loom Large

Fears of Chennai airport shutting down during heavy rains persist as a stalled stormwater drain project continues to drag on, threatening runway inundation and flight operations.

The plan involves a 4.3-kilometer stormwater drain developed with IIT-M guidance, intended to divert water from the runway and parking areas to the Adyar river at a reported cost of Rs. 123 crore.

Work on the project began last year but is only about 60 percent complete, with 2.3 km of the drain finished so far, raising concerns about possible operational disruptions during the northeast monsoon season.

Officials cited restrictions on flight operations, safety rules, and the need for Defence Ministry permissions as factors slowing construction, despite assurances that flooding risks have been mitigated by river desiltation and encroachment removals.

The airport has a history of brief closures and flight cancellations when rainwater floods the runway; this year, a short rain spell led to multiple flight cancellations or withdrawals, fueling passenger anxiety about heavier downpours.

Authorities hope the ongoing flood mitigation work around the Adyar river will prevent runway inundation, though the project’s slow progress keeps the risk of disruption during heavy rains in question.