Severe Weather Disrupts Air Traffic Across Nepal, Forcing Diversions

Kathmandu. Flights have been affected due to disruptions at Tribhuvan International Airport and several other airports across Nepal caused by rain, thunderstorms, and hailstorms. Flights and landings have been hampered at Tribhuvan International Airport and various airports nationwide.

Due to the weather involving rain and thunder, challenges in flight safety have prevented aircraft from landing safely. According to airport spokesperson Santusht Kumar Basnet, although the airport is technically open, aircraft have been unable to take off or land due to adverse weather conditions and low visibility.

An IndiGo Airlines flight heading to Kathmandu from India was diverted to Lucknow after being unable to land. Furthermore, a Qatar Airways flight arriving from Doha, Qatar, is currently holding in Nepali airspace.

Spokesperson Basnet stated that if the weather does not improve shortly, a situation may arise where this flight also has to be diverted elsewhere. Currently, only one aircraft is holding in the sky, while others have already been diverted.

Aircraft that took off from various cities for Kathmandu were unable to reach their destination and returned to their original departure stations either mid-flight or after circling Kathmandu's airspace. Flights from Biratnagar, Simara, Dhangadhi, and Bhairahawa heading to Kathmandu were diverted back to their respective original stations after the weather turned unfavorable. Basnet explained that although the airport's visibility is currently around 3,000 meters, the rain and thunder made the 'approach' difficult, leading aircraft to choose the safer option of returning to their previous destinations without taking risks.

According to spokesperson Basnet, every aircraft and airline has its own 'Standard Operating Procedure,' and pilots decide not to land after the weather radar on board indicates a risk. Specifically, the poor weather conditions in the southern direction appear to be the reason why aircraft could not align with the runway.