Kerala, August 20: The first commercial flight lands at INS Garuda Kochi Naval Air Station after Kochi Airport got affected due to floods. According to a Times of India report, it will be operating its commercial airline for the first time in nearly two decades. The water levels have started to reduce at the Cochin International Airport, and flights are getting diverted to Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram.

The Periyar river had flooded Kochi airport, and therefore it will not be available up to 2 pm on August 26. All the flights will remain suspended until then. The heavy rains have brought the state to a standstill, claiming several lives in the last few days. Kerala Floods Create Havoc: Kochi Airport Closed Till August 26.

Check the schedule of flights to and fro from Kochi

Passengers who will be flying from the Naval base will have to arrive two hours early and will be picked at Udaan gate by a bus. The passengers will have to produce their ticket and a valid identity proof to enter the gate. Reportedly, due to lack of x-ray machines, passengers are expected to open their cabin bags at the security gates.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 20, 2018 09:14 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).