Rain & low visibility disrupt air travel

KATHMANDU: Flights across Nepal have been significantly affected due to adverse weather conditions, with poor visibility caused by continuous rainfall disrupting operations at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and several other regional airports, according to airport authorities.

Rinji Sherpa, spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Office at TIA, stated that both domestic and international flights have been impacted by the poor weather and reduced visibility.

This morning, a Jazeera Airways international flight had to be diverted to Varanasi, India, due to en-route weather disturbances. On the domestic front, Buddha Air’s popular mountain flight was also diverted for the same reason.

Flights operated by Summit Air and Tara Air from Ramechhap to Lukla were diverted after failing to land at Lukla due to unfavorable weather conditions there.

Spokesperson Sherpa mentioned that while operations have resumed at TIA and some regional airports as rainfall subsided, flights to and from remote airports remain partially disrupted. Nepal Airlines’ flight from Kathmandu to Thamkharka was also diverted.

Light rainfall was reported in the Kathmandu Valley early this morning, but weather conditions have improved around the capital, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.

The department’s latest weather bulletin indicates that the current weather pattern is influenced by both westerly and local winds, along with moisture-laden air from the Bay of Bengal, resulting in light rainfall in Kathmandu and surrounding hilly regions.

The forecast for today suggests partly to generally cloudy skies across the country. Light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunder, lightning, and gusty winds is expected in Koshi, Lumbini, and other hilly regions. Some mountainous areas may also experience light snowfall.