Dense Smoke from Bhogi Festival Disrupts Chennai Flights

CHENNAI: Many flights could not land at Chennai Airport on Wednesday morning because of dense smoke from Bhogi festival celebrations, officials said.

The smoke reduced visibility on the airport runway to around 300 metres between 7:00 am and 8:00 am. This temporarily affected flight operations, causing delays. Authorities said visibility was expected to improve later in the day, allowing flights to operate normally.

The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) asked people to celebrate a smoke-free Bhogi festival this year. They advised against burning plastics, tyres, tubes, and other waste materials, as these create harmful smoke that can affect both the environment and people’s health.

Officials also reminded the public that traditional Bhogi celebrations can still be enjoyable and safe without burning harmful materials. A clean and smoke-free celebration helps protect the air quality and keeps everyone healthy during the festival.