Flight operations disrupted as dense fog engulfs Terai airports

Kathmandu, November 13 — Dense fog and haze have affected flight operations at airports in the Terai region. Due to reduced visibility caused by the fog, flights at Simara, Bharatpur, Bhairahawa, and Surkhet airports have been disrupted, according to the airport authorities.

Rinjee Sherpa, spokesperson for Tribhuvan International Airport, mentioned that flights are currently unable to operate at Bhairahawa and Surkhet airports. "Bhairahawa and Surkhet airports are closed, but regular flights are operating from other airports," he said.

Currently, there is partial influence of westerly winds and local winds across the country. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology’s weather forecasting division has reported that the weather will be mostly clear across the country, except for partial cloud cover in the hilly areas of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini. Light rain is expected in one or two places in the hilly areas of these provinces, with light snowfall likely in some high-altitude and mountainous regions.

Senior meteorologist Prativa Manandhar mentioned that the dry weather, along with prolonged periods of no rainfall and dense fog in the Terai region, is causing disruptions to air traffic. 

"Whether it rains or not in the Terai, fog and haze will increase in the mornings over the next few days, affecting flight operations," she said. "From the third week of November, fog and haze will become more intense. In December, January, and February, fog and mist will increase, and the forecasting division will carry out special monitoring," she added.

As temperatures drop, visibility will continue to weaken, and this is expected to particularly affect flights at airports in the Terai region, as stated by the forecasting division.