MUMBAI, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Mumbai airport has shut down its main runway on Tuesday after a domestic SpiceJet flight overshot its mark while landing on Monday night following heavy rains in the city.
Flights have been diverted to the secondary runway after the SpiceJet aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, is still stuck at the end of the main runway.
According to an airport official, efforts to shift the aircraft from the runway and restore operations at the earliest were in progress.
"Spicejet SG 6237 Jaipur-Mumbai flight overshoots runway while landing at Mumbai Airport. All the passengers are safe. No injuries reported," said the spokesperson of the airline, which had 167 passengers on board.
Domestic airlines in India have warned passengers that incessant rains in the city could affect arrivals and departures and have requested them to check for delay and cancellations before leaving for the airport.
Departure flights were delayed by an average of 120 minutes, leading to the cancellation of 33 departing flights and arrival of 22 flights after midnight, according to airport sources.
Trust of India reported that a Korean Air flight from Seoul to Mumbai was diverted to India's western city of Ahmedabad while a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt and an Air India flight from Bangkok also had to be diverted.
Mumbai has been witnessing intense rainfall over the past few days that has hampered normal life with roads flooded and public transport impacted.
Flooded roads to the airport following the rains were making it extremely difficult for people to reach the airport on time.
Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted intermittent rain in the city and suburbs, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places over the next 24 hours.
