Newsmatro
On May 6th, Monday, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) faced an unexpected twist in their travel plans as their flight bound for Kolkata encountered multiple diversions due to thunderstorms in the city.
The team, which was eager to return home following their resounding 98-run victory against LSG, found themselves spending the night in Varanasi instead.
Initially scheduled to land in Kolkata on the evening of May 6th, KKR’s charter flight faced its first diversion to Guwahati due to adverse weather conditions.
Despite their efforts, including a subsequent attempt to land in Kolkata at midnight, the team remained unsuccessful in reaching their destination. As a result, the flight was redirected back to Uttar Pradesh, leading the team to spend an unexpected night in Varanasi.
The delay disrupted the team’s preparations for their upcoming match against Mumbai Indians at the iconic Eden Gardens.
While the players and staff were undoubtedly jubilant following their recent victory, the unforeseen travel ordeal added an unexpected twist to their plans.
KKR’s social media team provided a detailed account of the situation, keeping fans informed about the team’s journey amidst the challenging weather conditions.
The timeline of KKR’s flight diversion unfolded as follows:
– Departure from Lucknow to Kolkata on the evening of May 6th.
– Diversion to Guwahati due to extreme weather conditions in Kolkata.
– Arrival in Guwahati, followed by departure towards Kolkata.
– Unsuccessful landing attempt in Kolkata, leading to diversion back to Lucknow.
The situation was exacerbated by the adverse weather conditions prevailing in Kolkata. The Indian Meteorological Department had forecasted heavy thunderstorms for the city, providing relief to residents after enduring a severe heatwave throughout April and May 2024.
Kolkata had experienced record-breaking temperatures, with April witnessing nine days of extreme heat exceeding 40°C, the highest in over two decades. The scorching temperatures continued into May, further intensifying the heatwave.
However, the thunderstorm forecasted for May 6th was expected to alleviate the heatwave, with rainfall anticipated to lower temperatures by several notches.
Despite the inconvenience caused by the flight diversion, the unexpected rain brought relief to the city, marking an end to the prolonged period of extreme heat.
While KKR’s travel plans were disrupted, the team remained resilient in the face of adversity, demonstrating their adaptability amidst challenging circumstances.