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Indian navy opens airport to commercial planes amid floods

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Indian navy opens airport to commercial planes amid floods
News

News

Indian navy opens airport to commercial planes amid floods

2018-08-20 14:03 Last Updated At：16:03

Indian officials say a military airport has opened to commercial flights in the flood-savaged southern state of Kerala to help speed in relief and fly out residents.

Suresh Prabhu, the minister of civil aviation, says the first flight landed Monday morning at the Indian naval air base in the city of Kochi, where the commercial airport has been closed since last week. The Air India flight came from the city of Bangalore in the nearby state of Karnataka.

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A volunteer throws a pack of bread towards a family stranded in a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

Indian officials say a military airport has opened to commercial flights in the flood-savaged southern state of Kerala to help speed in relief and fly out residents.
An elderly man wades through flood waters to reach a boat carrying food supplies for stranded people in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

Kerala has been battered by torrential downpours and floods since Aug 8. Floods and landslides have killed at least 250 people in Kerala since then, with about 800,000 people taking shelter in some 4,000 relief camps.
An Indian army soldier airdrops relief material for stranded people at a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP Photo)

An Indian army soldier airdrops relief material for stranded people at a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP Photo)
A boy cries as he sits in a boat after being rescued by volunteers with others from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

A boy cries as he sits in a boat after being rescued by volunteers with others from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)
In this photo provided by Indian Defense Public Relation office, an aerial view of flooded Chenngannur area in Kerala, India, seen from an helicopter, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. According to authorities some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding for a century. (Indian Defense Public Relation office via AP)

In this photo provided by Indian Defense Public Relation office, an aerial view of flooded Chenngannur area in Kerala, India, seen from an helicopter, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. According to authorities some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding for a century. (Indian Defense Public Relation office via AP)
People travel in boat after they were rescued from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

People travel in boat after they were rescued from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)
A volunteer asks for directions after rescuing stranded people from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

A volunteer asks for directions after rescuing stranded people from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)
A man holds a child as it rains after they were rescued from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

A man holds a child as it rains after they were rescued from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)
Volunteers push a boat after they rescued a group of stranded people from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

Volunteers push a boat after they rescued a group of stranded people from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)
A group of people are taken in a boat after they were rescued from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

A group of people are taken in a boat after they were rescued from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)
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A volunteer throws a pack of bread towards a family stranded in a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

Indian officials say a military airport has opened to commercial flights in the flood-savaged southern state of Kerala to help speed in relief and fly out residents.

An elderly man wades through flood waters to reach a boat carrying food supplies for stranded people in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

Kerala has been battered by torrential downpours and floods since Aug 8. Floods and landslides have killed at least 250 people in Kerala since then, with about 800,000 people taking shelter in some 4,000 relief camps.

An Indian army soldier airdrops relief material for stranded people at a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP Photo)

An Indian army soldier airdrops relief material for stranded people at a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP Photo)

A boy cries as he sits in a boat after being rescued by volunteers with others from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

A boy cries as he sits in a boat after being rescued by volunteers with others from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

In this photo provided by Indian Defense Public Relation office, an aerial view of flooded Chenngannur area in Kerala, India, seen from an helicopter, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. According to authorities some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding for a century. (Indian Defense Public Relation office via AP)

In this photo provided by Indian Defense Public Relation office, an aerial view of flooded Chenngannur area in Kerala, India, seen from an helicopter, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. According to authorities some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding for a century. (Indian Defense Public Relation office via AP)

People travel in boat after they were rescued from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

People travel in boat after they were rescued from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

A volunteer asks for directions after rescuing stranded people from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

A volunteer asks for directions after rescuing stranded people from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

A man holds a child as it rains after they were rescued from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

A man holds a child as it rains after they were rescued from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

Volunteers push a boat after they rescued a group of stranded people from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

Volunteers push a boat after they rescued a group of stranded people from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

A group of people are taken in a boat after they were rescued from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

A group of people are taken in a boat after they were rescued from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

Prabhu said on Twitter that other air bases around Kerala should open to commercial traffic soon.

A volunteer throws a pack of bread towards a family stranded in a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

A volunteer throws a pack of bread towards a family stranded in a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

Kerala has been battered by torrential downpours and floods since Aug 8. Floods and landslides have killed at least 250 people in Kerala since then, with about 800,000 people taking shelter in some 4,000 relief camps.

An elderly man wades through flood waters to reach a boat carrying food supplies for stranded people in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

An elderly man wades through flood waters to reach a boat carrying food supplies for stranded people in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

 An Indian army soldier airdrops relief material for stranded people at a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP Photo)

An Indian army soldier airdrops relief material for stranded people at a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP Photo)

 A boy cries as he sits in a boat after being rescued by volunteers with others from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

A boy cries as he sits in a boat after being rescued by volunteers with others from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

 In this photo provided by Indian Defense Public Relation office, an aerial view of flooded Chenngannur area in Kerala, India, seen from an helicopter, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. According to authorities some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding for a century. (Indian Defense Public Relation office via AP)

In this photo provided by Indian Defense Public Relation office, an aerial view of flooded Chenngannur area in Kerala, India, seen from an helicopter, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. According to authorities some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding for a century. (Indian Defense Public Relation office via AP)
People travel in boat after they were rescued from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

People travel in boat after they were rescued from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

 A volunteer asks for directions after rescuing stranded people from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

A volunteer asks for directions after rescuing stranded people from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

 A man holds a child as it rains after they were rescued from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

A man holds a child as it rains after they were rescued from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

 Volunteers push a boat after they rescued a group of stranded people from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

Volunteers push a boat after they rescued a group of stranded people from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)
A group of people are taken in a boat after they were rescued from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

A group of people are taken in a boat after they were rescued from a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018. Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)

DETROIT (AP) — The Oakland Athletics no longer have to wonder where they'll play the next few seasons. That won't make the long goodbye any easier.

The A's reacted to the announcement that this will be their last year in Oakland with a mixture of sadness and relief.

“At least as a player, you know where you’re headed,” outfielder Seth Brown said Friday before a game against the Tigers in Detroit. “There’s obviously a lot of moving parts, a lot of stuff we’re not privy to, so it’s just been kind of a waiting game on our end. Where are we going to go? Where are we going to be? So I think just having that knowledge -- at least we know where we’re going to be playing next year.”

Vivek Ranadivé, who owns the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, and Oakland Athletics owner John Fisher announced Thursday that the A’s will temporarily relocate to West Sacramento's Sutter Health Park for at least three seasons. The A's are moving to Las Vegas after a new ballpark is constructed.

The River Cats, who are affiliated with the San Francisco Giants, will continue to play at the same facility.

Fisher was unable to reach an agreement with Oakland city officials on extending the lease at Oakland Coliseum, which expires at the end of this season. The A's have played in the city since 1968.

“There's direction now, which we've talked a lot about,” Oakland A's manager Mark Kotsay said. “We've got time to kind of reflect on what this really means from an organizational standpoint, the history that we've had in Oakland, with this being now the final season. There's a lot of emotion that goes behind this.”

It will not only cause some upheaval for the players and staff but also members of the organization that work behind the scenes.

“At the end of the day, we know where we're going to be for the next three seasons after the finish this year and that in itself gives a little bit of stability,” Kotsay said. “At the same time, in the present, it's challenging in certain ways to think about the finality of this organization in Oakland.”

Sacramento will be a much smaller environment to house a major league team. Ranadivé said the River Cats venue currently seats 16,000 when counting the stands, the lawn behind center field and standing room only.

First baseman Ryan Noda is concerned with the facilities. He's hopeful that significant upgrades will be made, much like the Toronto Blue Jays did at Buffalo's Triple-A facility. The Blue Jays played at Buffalo's Sahlen Field in 2020 in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“New walls, new dugouts, new locker rooms — everything they needed to become a big league stadium,” said Noda, who played some games in Sacramento as a minor leaguer. “As long as we can do something like that, then it'll be all right. But it's definitely going to be different than playing in stadiums that hold 40,000 people.”

Kotsay is confident the upgrades will occur.

“I know it will be of major league baseball quality,” he said. “It's has to be of major league baseball quality. I know the Players Association will make sure that takes place, as they did in Buffalo.”

For the rest of this season, the A's will have to deal with small home crowds and disappointed fans.

“We’re sad for the fans, the diehard fans, who always come to our games, always support us, always support the boys wearing the jersey,” Noda said.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive, center, shakes hands John Fisher, owner of the Oakland Athletics, before the start of a news conference where Fisher announced his team will leave Oakland after this season and play temporarily at a minor league park, during a news conference in West Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, April 4 2024.The A's announced the decision to play at the home of the Sacramento River Cats from 2025-27 with an option for 2028 on Thursday after being unable to reach an agreement to extend their lease in Oakland during that time. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive, center, shakes hands John Fisher, owner of the Oakland Athletics, before the start of a news conference where Fisher announced his team will leave Oakland after this season and play temporarily at a minor league park, during a news conference in West Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, April 4 2024.The A's announced the decision to play at the home of the Sacramento River Cats from 2025-27 with an option for 2028 on Thursday after being unable to reach an agreement to extend their lease in Oakland during that time. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

 John Fisher, owner of the Oakland Athletics baseball team, announces that his team will leave Oakland after this season and play temporarily at a minor league park, during a news conference in West Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, April 4, 2024. The A's announced the decision to play at the home of the Sacramento River Cats from 2025-27 with an option for 2028 on Thursday after being unable to reach an agreement to extend their lease in Oakland during that time. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

John Fisher, owner of the Oakland Athletics baseball team, announces that his team will leave Oakland after this season and play temporarily at a minor league park, during a news conference in West Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, April 4, 2024. The A's announced the decision to play at the home of the Sacramento River Cats from 2025-27 with an option for 2028 on Thursday after being unable to reach an agreement to extend their lease in Oakland during that time. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

 Sutter Health Park, home of the Triple A team Sacramento River Cats, is shown in West Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, April 4, 2024. The Oakland Athletics announced the decision to play at the home of the Sacramento River Cats from 2025-27 with an option for 2028 on Thursday after being unable to reach an agreement to extend their lease in Oakland during that time. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Sutter Health Park, home of the Triple A team Sacramento River Cats, is shown in West Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, April 4, 2024. The Oakland Athletics announced the decision to play at the home of the Sacramento River Cats from 2025-27 with an option for 2028 on Thursday after being unable to reach an agreement to extend their lease in Oakland during that time. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

 Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay walks to the dugout after making a pitching change during the eighth inning of the team's baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, March 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay walks to the dugout after making a pitching change during the eighth inning of the team's baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, March 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)