THE torrential downpour that plagued several islands for most of the day yesterday forced the closure of the Lynden Pindling International Airport for several minutes.

According to Accuweather, the airport saw a total of 3.83 inches, or 97.3 millimetres, of rainfall in total. The resulting closure, from about 1.11pm to 1.37pm, caused delays for both incoming and outgoing flights.

According to the Civil Aviation Department, the decision was taken to close runways as a precaution because of the reduced visibility conditions.

At around 7.15am yesterday, local forecasters issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the Berry Islands, Andros, New Providence, Exuma, Cat Island, Ragged Island and Crooked Island.

The Met Department warned the thunderstorms “will be severe at times” causing strong gusty winds, dangerous lightning, heavy downpours, heavy flooding in low lying areas and possible waterspouts or tornadoes. Two hours later, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Bimini and Eleuthera were added to the severe weather warning list, and residents were cautioned to “seek shelter and remain indoors and away from windows as conditions worsen”.

The warning was extended again to 1.15pm as the storms continued to move over the country. By 3.15pm, Exuma, Long Island, and Ragged Island were the only islands still under the warning, which ended at 6.15pm.