Search for Malaysian Plane Suspend Due to Bad Weather

(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) nberra April 22 - The ensuing search for the missing Malaysia Airlines jetliner which has entered the 46th day is becoming more difficult with the approaching Tropical Cyclone Jack in the remote Indian Ocean off. The Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC) which is overseeing the search operation said the weather in the search area was forecast to deteriorate later Monday particularly in the northern sector as Tropical Cyclone Jack continues its track southwards. It said the forecast also indicated widespread showers were developing with isolated thunderstorms to the north and east due to south-easterly winds. Despite the inclement weather the search operation however continues with ten military aircraft and 11 ships scouring the area the agency said in a statement. Meanwhile the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) codenamed Bluefin-21 ended its eighth mission Monday having covered about two-thirds of its intended territory without finding any sign of the missing plane.