One such video shows water pouring from the ceiling in the airport.
A part of the ceiling at Guwahati airport collapsed on Sunday as sudden rain lashed the city. Operations were briefly halted and six flights diverted after heavy winds caused extensive damage at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport.
A video shows a group of passengers waiting outside the airport as part of the ceiling suddenly collapses above their heads. No injuries were reported, airport sources said, adding that the collapse was caused by an overflowing exhaust pipe and high winds.
Several videos recorded by airmen at the airport showing rainwater flooding the premises have gone viral on social media. One such video shows water pouring from the ceiling in the airport as workers helplessly try to sweep the floors. The clip also shows containers placed under the ceiling to collect water.
The storm also uprooted trees blocking an access road to the airport. “We immediately rushed there and cleared the road. It took us more than half an hour,” Chief Airport Officer (CAO) Utpal Baruah told news agency PTI, adding that part of the roof also blew off during the storm.
“I am personally monitoring the situation so that passengers are not inconvenienced. Due to the storm and heavy rain, visibility dropped drastically and we had to divert six flights,” he said.
IndiGo, Air India and Air India Express flights were diverted to Agartala and Kolkata. “Visibility has improved and normal activities have resumed. The flights have started landing in Guwahati,” he added.