CM Mamata’s London trip likely to postpone due to fire in Heathrow

Heathrow Airport has been shut down following a major power outage caused by a fire at a power substation in the Kakvore area. The fire broke out on Friday, leading to widespread electricity disruptions, affecting thousands of homes and businesses. Authorities evacuated around 150 people from the area, and a 200-meter radius has been cordoned off as emergency teams continue restoration efforts. Heathrow, one of the world's busiest airports, is expected to remain closed until at least 11:59 PM on Friday.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was scheduled to travel to London on March 22 for a seven-day visit. However, her flight has reportedly been cancelled due to the ongoing disruptions at Heathrow. Air India has cancelled all flights to and from the airport, impacting international travel. Flights already in the air were forced to divert, including an Air India flight from Mumbai that had to return, while another from Delhi was rerouted to Frankfurt.

Emergency response teams, including 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines, were deployed to contain the blaze. Authorities are working to restore power in the affected areas, but the damage to the transformer has resulted in prolonged outages. The fire led to a complete shutdown of airport operations, with all flights on March 21 cancelled. Passengers scheduled to travel to or from Heathrow are being advised to check for alternative arrangements.

The disruption has led to major air traffic congestion, with flights being rerouted to other European cities. Officials are assessing the situation and working to restore normalcy as soon as possible. The extent of damage to the power infrastructure is still being evaluated, and further updates on flight schedules and airport operations are expected.

Authorities have yet to confirm when normal services will resume. Travelers affected by cancellations, including Mamata Banerjee’s delegation, may need to reschedule their itineraries based on further developments. The airport remains under strict monitoring, with emergency teams continuing repair and safety measures.