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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Oman Air suspends Kochi bookings, Jet cancels flights

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MUSCAT, Aug 15 - For Keralites living in the Sultanate, news back home has not been good for the last few days, what with torrential rains and floods bringing life to a standstill in several parts of the Indian state. Operations have been suspended at the Kochi International Airport until Saturday, as the airport’s runway and surrounding areas are inundated.


Kochi-bound flights have been cancelled or diverted to other cities.


Many cities were inundated, roads and houses damaged and vehicles washed away in the rains, which have so far claimed 70 lives.


There is no respite as the Met department has predicted heavy rains in the next few days. “We are worried for our families and relatives,” said Anu Mathew, an executive in a hospital in Ruwi.


Subhash Wayanad, a social worker from Salalah, said his district was severely hit, with rains and floods claiming many lives in Wayanad, a hilly district of Kerala.


“Many have lost their houses and properties. My relatives and neighbours are in relief centres,” he said. Sidhique Hassan, a social worker, said the Indian Army was reconstructing damaged infrastructure with help from the local authorities.


Many tourists, including those from the Middle East, who were stranded at several places, have been rescued and taken to safer areas. “It will take months before life can return to normal for the affected families,” said Joseph Devassy, an automotive executive.


Meanwhile, Wazim Zaidi, General Manager, Jet Airways, Oman, said all Kochi-bound flights stand cancelled.


Passengers will be accommodated in Thiruvananthapuram or Mumbai-bound flights.


Oman Air has not made any statement on the status of its Kochi operations. The company’s website has stopped taking bookings to the city until August 19.


Bookings will resume from August 20.


Air India has said it will try to accommodate Kochi-bound passengers on flights to Thiruvananthapuram and other nearby destinations.


Kochi-bound flight, scheduled for Thursday, will be diverted to Thiruvananthapuram, the airline said on Wednesday, according to a statement from the airline’s regional office in Muscat.


KABEER YOUSUF & VINOD NAIR


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