CHENNAI: A number of flights were unable to land at Chennai airport on Wednesday morning due to dense smoke from Bhogi festival celebrations, officials said. Runway visibility dropped to around 300 metres from 7:00am and remained low until 8:00am, temporarily affecting flight operations. Authorities said conditions were expected to improve later in the day. The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) urged the public to celebrate a smoke-free Bhogi festival and avoid burning plastics, tyres, tubes, and other waste materials, citing environmental and health concerns.

“Burning rubber, plastic and other items in previous years produced dense smoke that disrupted flight operations and affected motorists,” a TNPCB official said. “It also caused air pollution and health hazards, including eye irritation and coughing.” To discourage such practices, the board has been raising awareness through hand-outs and audio messages relayed via auto-rickshaws.