Deepak Punia and Sujeet Kalkal, Two Indian Wrestlers Left Stranded at the Flooded Dubai Airport

Flooded Paths: The Journey of Deepak Punia and Sujeet Kalkal in Dubai

Written by: Supriya Kadu

Edited by: Omkar Devadkar

Last Updated: April 19, 2024

Summary: Two top Indian wrestlers were "sleeping on the floor" at Dubai airport after record rainfall restricted travel to and from the Middle Eastern financial center, according to Indian media.

Deepak (86kg), who came close to earning a medal at the Tokyo Games, and Sujeet (65kg) were on their way to Bishkek to compete in the Asia Olympic Qualifier, the second-last qualifying event for the Paris Olympics, which began on Friday.

Due to unusual rains in the Gulf country, Indian wrestlers Deepak Punia and Sujeet Kalakal, who were headed to Kyrgyzstan, were delayed at the Dubai International Airport, affecting their chances of qualifying for the Paris Olympics.

Both of them were left stuck at the Dubai airport when the nation suffered the most intense rainfall on record, flooding major highways and roads and causing chaos at one of the busiest airports in the world.

The two, who are accompanied by Russian trainer Kamal Malikov and physiotherapist Shubham Gupta, are sleeping on the floor and are unable to eat healthy meals because of the rain-related situation.

But according to the Sports Authority of India, the wrestlers would really be accommodated on a Thursday flight from Dubai to Bishkek.

"Officials of @cgidubai have reached out to wrestlers Deepak Punia and Sujeet Kalkal, who have been delayed in Dubai due to airline disruptions. They will be accommodated on a flight from Dubai to Bishkek tonight ahead of the Asian Olympic Qualifying Tournament," SAI stated in a Facebook post.

Punia and Kalkal traveled to Bishkek on their own, while the other Indian wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, departed Delhi directly. The two received training in Dagestan, Russia, from April 2 to 15. On April 16, they flew from Makachkala to Bishkek via Dubai on a Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) ticket.

However, operations at Dubai International Airport have been greatly impacted as a result of the heavy downpours that have hit the Emirates. According to the UAE government, the country witnessed its biggest rainfall in 75 years, with up to 259.5 mm falling on Tuesday.

According to the BBC, approximately 300 flights have been canceled so far, with hundreds more delayed.