Weather likely reason for Gulf Air plane skidding in Kochi

New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI) Indian Civil Aviation Minister
Vayalar Ravi on Monday said rain and wind appear to be the
reasons behind a Gulf Air plane skidding off the runway while
landing at the International Airport in Kochi even as DGCA
ordered an inquiry into the incident.
Ravi said initial reports suggest the incident took place
due to the weather conditions and the runway is "long enough."
"DGCA has asked for a report. The report which has
come to me is that it is a difficult place, though the runway
is long enough. The rains and winds were there. Then, it
landed and slipped," he told reporters here.
He said seven persons were injured in the incident and
that the runway would become operational soon.
"By God's grace, nothing much happened," he said.
137 passengers and six crew of the plane from Bahrain
had a narrow escape when the Airbus A-320 skidded off the
runway into a muddy area while landing at the airport.