KATHMANDU: Nepalgunj Airport's air services have been severely impacted by the thick fog and low visibility caused by a prolonged cold wave. In contrast to the 1,000-meter and 1,600-meter minimums required for takeoff and landing, respectively, visibility at the airport has dropped to just 50 meters, according to Rinki Mallik, the traffic controller for the Nepalgunj Civil Aviation Office.
More than fifty flights to and from Nepalgunj, including those to Kathmandu, Pokhara, Dhangadhi, and other high regions, have been canceled due to the bad weather. Travelers to these locations have been left waiting for the fog to clear at the airport.
Although Nepalgunj Airport normally sees a lot of aircraft every day, the current weather has prevented it from operating. Mallik stated that no flights have been able to fly since the early hours of the morning due to the extremely difficult visibility conditions.
The inconvenience is especially bad for people traveling to Kathmandu and other far-off places. While they await better weather and the start of airline services, many travelers can't stop fretting.
Even outside of aviation, the region's everyday life has been severely disrupted by the cold wave and heavy fog. Residents and businesses are experiencing more difficulties due to the low temperatures and poor visibility.
There are no clear signs of improvement, so airport officials and airlines are closely monitoring the weather. It is advised that travelers keep in touch with airline representatives for updates on flight schedules.
