Kochi, Aug 5 (IANS) Around 40 flights were cancelled as operations at the international airport here were suspended till Tuesday evening after water entered the parking bay and taxi way, an official said. Cochin International Airport Limited director A.C.K. Nair told IANS that this is the first time this has happened since the airport opened in 1999.

"What we are told is that since some dam shutters was open on account of the heavy rains, the water level increased in and around the airport. As a result, water entered the parking bays and taxiway and hence we had to suspend all operations from 10.30 a.m. Monday. We are scheduled to commence operations from 3.20 pm Tuesday," he said. Close to 40 flights have been cancelled due to the airport's closure, Nair added. It has been raining heavily in the state for the past two days in Kerala and Idukki and Ernakulam districts have been the worst-affected.