Over 80 domestic flights of all major airlines to and from Mumbai were cancelled on Monday due to air traffic disruption caused by incessant rains lashing the western metropolis.

The flights were cancelled following instructions issued by the Civil Aviation ministry to curtail operations to and from Mumbai. Jet Airways [Get Quote], which has its hub of operations in Mumbai, alone cancelled a total of 58 flights each day till Wednesday.

While Air Sahara cancelled 16 incoming and outgoing flights, Indian Airlines also cancelled a large number of flights but the details were not immediately available.

Terrible Tuesday: Mumbai copes with a calamity

The number of flights cancelled by carriers like Kingfisher, Air Deccan and SpiceJet could also not be immediately ascertained.

The carriers were clubbing their flights and taking full passenger loads to and from the city.  Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel has appealed to air travellers to avoid travelling to Mumbai unless it was very urgent.

The cancellation of a large number of flights had severe impact in the Delhi airport where hundreds of people had gathered for their travel to Mumbai.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has announced that schools and colleges in Mumbai and Thane will remain closed on Tuesday too.

Terrible Tuesday: Mumbai copes with a calamity
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