Dramatic Diversion: Assam CM's Flight Forced to Agartala Amidst Guwahati Storm

A routine flight turned into an unexpected adventure for Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday evening when his IndiGo flight, en route from Silchar to Guwahati, was dramatically diverted to Agartala due to severe weather conditions.

The skies over Guwahati had opened up, unleashing heavy rain and strong winds, making landing conditions at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport treacherous.

Chief Minister Sarma had just concluded a busy day, addressing two crucial election rallies in Silchar ahead of upcoming by-elections, and was on flight 6E 793, which departed Silchar at 4:35 PM.

The flight was initially scheduled to land in Guwahati by 5:25 PM. However, as it approached the capital, pilots encountered a formidable wall of weather.

For a tense 30 to 40 minutes, the aircraft circled over Guwahati, attempting to find a clear window to descend. With visibility severely compromised and safety paramount, the decision was made to divert to the nearest viable airport: Agartala's Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Tripura.

The IndiGo flight safely landed in Agartala at approximately 6:40 PM.

Given the late hour and the persistent bad weather in Guwahati, Chief Minister Sarma was hosted for an overnight stay at a state guest house in Agartala. This unexpected stopover highlighted the unpredictable nature of air travel and the critical role of safety protocols.

The hospitality extended by the Tripura government was swift and warm.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha personally confirmed the diversion, stating, "Due to bad weather in Guwahati, the IndiGo flight carrying Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, which departed from Silchar, was diverted and landed at Agartala airport. He is currently staying at the State Guest House for the night."

The following morning, as weather conditions improved significantly in Guwahati, Chief Minister Sarma departed Agartala, continuing his journey back to Assam.

He took to social media to express his gratitude, thanking his Tripura counterpart for the thoughtful arrangements. "Due to inclement weather, my flight was diverted to Agartala last night. I thank Chief Minister Shri @DrManikSaha2 ji for the warm hospitality and making arrangements for my stay at the State Guest House," he posted, further strengthening the bond between the two northeastern states.

This incident served as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by air traffic control and pilots in adverse weather, ensuring passenger safety above all else, even when carrying high-profile dignitaries.