Bhubaneswar weather forces CM’s copter to divert to Puri

Bhubaneswar: Inclement weather in the city forced the helicopter with chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on board to divert midair and land in Puri. The CM was returning to Bhubaneswar from Mayurbhanj after attending an official function on Monday afternoon.

Sources at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) said the helicopter with CM and officials on board left Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College in Barpada at 3.28 pm. After flying for around 45 minutes, the helicopter sought permission to land in Bhubaneswar from air traffic control (ATC). But due to bad weather, ATC refused permission.

“The helicopter diverted to Puri midair and landed there at 4.42 pm. After a brief stay, CM returned to Bhubaneswar by road,” a CMO official said.

The CM was in Baripada to inaugurate a new 650-bed teaching hospital at Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College. On this occasion, he also launched and laid the foundation stone for various developmental projects.

Most of the localities, including the airport area in Bhubaneswar, reported wind speed gusting up to 80 kmph, leading to uprooting of trees and felling of branches.