In a dramatic turn of events on Thursday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s flight was forced to circle the Kolkata sky for a significant period as stormy weather conditions made landing impossible. The city witnessed a sudden buildup of thunderclouds and gusty winds, creating a hazardous environment for aviation. Air Traffic Control (ATC) advised the pilot to hold position, leading to tense moments for the administration and security personnel on the ground.

The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport sources confirmed that the visibility dropped sharply just as the Chief Minister’s flight was approaching the runway. Due to the high risk of lightning and strong air turbulence, the pilot decided to stay airborne until the weather stabilized. After several rounds of circling the city’s airspace, the flight was finally granted permission to land once the conditions improved.

This incident has once again brought to light the frequent challenges faced during the Chief Minister’s air travels. Whether due to technical snags or inclement weather, such delays often spark political and safety concerns. Today’s event occurred amidst an orange alert issued by the IMD for South Bengal, predicting widespread rain and thunderstorms. While the CM landed safely, the brief period of uncertainty caused a major stir at the airport and within the Trinamool Congress ranks.