Adverse weather disrupts domestic flights

KATHMANDU: The adverse weather conditions in Nepal have affected domestic air travel, with reduced visibility causing disruptions.

While flights under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) are operating at Tribhuvan International Airport, most airports outside Kathmandu are experiencing flight delays or cancellations due to poor visibility in the morning.

According to airport spokesperson Rinji Sherpa, flights have been unable to operate at most airports outside Kathmandu, except for Bhadrapur, Bharatpur, Pokhara, and Surkhet.

However, domestic and international flights are running regularly at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport. Despite this, some flights to other airports directly from Kathmandu have been affected.

Deependra Kumar Koirala, spokesperson for Buddha Air, confirmed that while flights to Bhadrapur, Bharatpur, Pokhara, and Surkhet have resumed, other airports are still grounded due to low visibility.

He added that dense fog in the Terai region has led to delays in airport operations.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology reported that most areas of the country are experiencing partial to moderate cloud cover due to the influence of a western low-pressure system.

Meteorologist Binu Maharjan stated that areas in the Karnali, Lumbini, Gandaki, Bagmati, and Madhesh provinces are generally overcast, while partial cloudiness is observed in Koshi and Sudurpashchim provinces.

“Cloud cover is expected to increase tomorrow, Monday, with the possibility of rain,” Maharjan noted, adding that light rain is likely in the hilly areas of Bagmati, Gandaki, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim provinces.