Adverse weather disrupts air travel, two flights diverted

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s air travel has been significantly affected due to adverse weather conditions.

The poor weather has particularly impacted domestic flights operating from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

While Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flights are still being conducted at Kathmandu Airport, flights to destinations outside Kathmandu, such as Biratnagar and Simara, have been disrupted.

According to airport spokesperson Rinji Sherpa, two flights have been diverted due to deteriorating “in-route weather.” A Yeti Airlines flight heading to Simara had to return to Kathmandu after failing to land in Simara.

Another Yeti Airlines flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar also had to turn back midway due to worsening weather conditions.

As a result of the adverse weather, no mountain flights are scheduled for today, as confirmed by the airlines. However, international flights are operating normally.

The Meteorological Forecasting Division has reported that the monsoon trough is positioned south of the average location, and there is a significant influence of monsoonal winds across the country.

Additionally, a low-pressure system developing over the Bay of Bengal is having a partial effect, causing overcast conditions in most parts of the country, along with thunder and moderate rainfall in areas of Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, and Sudurpashchim States.