Cochin airport closed as water enters taxiway

The Cochin International Airport was closed yesterday night as water entered its taxiway following heavy rains and rising water levels in the Periyar river, a top airport official said.

Airport Director A.C.K.Nair told IANS that it was decided at 9 pm yesterday to close down the airport. “As of now, we have decided to close it till 12 midnight on Thursday, but with the water level rising in the Periyar river, this present decision can change also.

Even though at present there is no water in the runway, we decided to close it down, as the taxiway is waterlogged,” he said. The airport was closed for several days in the huge floods that took place last year.