Normal flight operations resumed at Dimapur Airport on Sunday after all flights were cancelled a day earlier due to runway waterlogging caused by heavy rainfall. Airport Authority of India (AAI) Dimapur Airport Director Moa Pongen said there were no flight cancellations on Sunday and the runway remained fully operational. The airport received around 111 mm of rainfall on Saturday, described as unusually heavy, resulting in the temporary disruption of flight services. Pongen said the runway was cleared between 4:30 pm and 5 pm on Saturday, allowing normal operations to resume from Sunday. He explained that the runway generally remains operational during normal rainfall, but excessive and unprecedented rain can increase the risk of waterlogging and flight disruptions. Dimapur Airport is located in a low-lying area, making it particularly vulnerable to water accumulation during periods of intense rainfall. While such natural events cannot be prevented, authorities are exploring mitigation measures to reduce their impact. The airport authorities have already approached the concerned departments seeking the widening and improvement of the airport’s drainage system to ensure better water discharge during heavy rains. Officials from the Water Resources Department also visited the airport on Saturday to inspect the situation and assess possible measures. The restoration of normal flight services has provided relief to passengers following Saturday’s disruption, while the proposed drainage improvements are expected to strengthen the airport’s resilience against future episodes of extreme rainfall and minimise the possibility of flight cancellations.
