Sydney Airport faces flight cancellations amid heavy rainfall

KATHMANDU: Sydney Airport grapples with over 100 flight cancellations as torrential rain persists in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

By 2:30 p.m. local time, six international flights and 109 domestic flights had been canceled, with numbers expected to climb further as the downpour shows no signs of abating, Xinhua reported.

Despite the ongoing deluge, Sydney Airport’s runways remain operational, although travelers should anticipate additional delays throughout the day, as confirmed by a spokesperson to local media.

“Flight delays and cancellations have occurred due to storm activity,” the spokesperson stated, advising passengers to consult their respective airlines for flight status updates.

The heavy rainfall, particularly impacting Sydney, saw the central business district receiving a significant deluge, with 111 mm recorded in the 24 hours leading up to 9:00 a.m. local time on Friday.

Redfern Station, a crucial transport hub linking 11 train lines, experienced equipment damage due to severe weather conditions, resulting in major service disruptions.

Transport for NSW, the state’s transport and road agency, alerted commuters to expect delays and service gaps throughout the day due to equipment damage and slower boarding processes caused by wet conditions.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) forecasts further rainfall, with the heaviest expected around the Illawarra escarpment and inland areas of Greater Sydney, where up to 300 mm of rain is possible during the entire event.

BOM Meteorologist Angus Hines warned of potential severe thunderstorms, posing risks of localized flash flooding and hazardous conditions along water bodies, accompanied by powerful surf and gale force winds.

A severe weather warning has been issued for heavy rainfall and damaging winds in Sydney Metropolitan, Illawarra, and six other forecast districts, urging residents to remain vigilant.