Kochi: It was a rare mix of definite anticipation, precise assessment and timely action that enabled the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) officials to avert this time a 2013-like situation when the airport had to be closed for two days due to flooding.
In fact the action on the part of the CIAL authorities started the day when the flood waters receded in 2013. The outer walls of the airport were strengthened, the Chengal canal that caused the flooding was cleaned and deepened and a new diversion canal was constructed later. According to a senior CIAL official, the diversion canal and the continuous pumping of the flood water that entered the airport premises through the drainage from both canals, enabled CIAL to successfully combat the flood this time.
“This time we were confident of battling a crisis if Idamalayar alone is opened, but were unsure of a situation when Idu-kki and Idamalayar were opened at the same time. But the continuous pumping using four huge mot-or pumps to a large stret-ch of 150 acres of land including the CIAL golf course on the north-western side enabled the water to flow out of the airport without disrupting it,” said the official adding that absence of heavy rain at the airport area also helped tackle the situation.
“In fact the cancellation of arrival for two hours on Thursday was an anticipatory measure to assess the situation and set us in full preparedness. The flood waters had entered the drainage near the operations side of the airport and spread to the side of the parking bay. The north and central drainages in the airport are connected to the Chengal canal and diversion canal which are connected to Periyar at the upstream and downstream,” he said.
“After landing was suspended at 1.05 pm, we assessed the situation for over an hour and held a meeting of officials of key wings including the engineering wing at 2.30 pm where we came to the conclusion that we can handle the situation. We decided to resume full-fledged operations at 3.05 pm on the same day. No flights were cancelled even after five shutters of Idukki dam also were opened. Continuous pumping of water that entered through drain and the diversion canal helped us in this mission,” said the official.
He said that the communication wing of the airport functioned throughout updating travelers through phone lines and social media.
