(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) TOKYO, Sept 11 (KUNA) -- Tokyo's Haneda Airport resumed departures Thursday afternoon after thunderstorms forced a halt to ground operations, leading to the cancellation of more than 50 domestic flights, authorities said.
Ground handling was suspended around 3:00 p.m. (0600 GMT) due to lightning and resumed about 4:20 p.m. (0720 GMT), according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
A total of 52 domestic services had been canceled, affecting about 12,000 passengers. Airlines also reported delays and urged passengers to stay updated with the latest flight information.
Meanwhile, Central Japan Railway said the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train briefly suspended operations between Tokyo and Yokohama as rainfall exceeded safety limits, causing some trains to remain delayed.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the thunderstorms were triggered by moist air flowing from the east and south into a stationary autumnal front, which led to the development of cumulonimbus clouds.
The agency warned of the possibility of heavy rain reaching warning levels across wide areas of western and eastern Japan on Friday, and called for continued vigilance. (end)
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