Air services to and from Karnali’s Mugu, Jumla, Dolpa, and Humla districts have been halted for the past five days due to adverse weather conditions. Flights have been unable to operate in these regions, affecting both passenger and cargo services.
The disruptions also extend to Karnali and Bheri corridors, which have been closed since Saturday morning. Similar travel restrictions are observed on routes leading to Rukum West.
Continuous rainfall has rendered the airstrip in Mugu inaccessible from Nepalgunj, according to Shreekrishna Rijal, Chief of Rara Civil Aviation Authority. “Due to the persistent bad weather, flights from Nepalgunj to Mugu have been suspended,” he confirmed.
Rijal further added, “Once flights are suspended, travelers bound for Nepalgunj, Surkhet, and Kathmandu from Mugu and vice versa are grounded at airports.”
According to Santosh Adhikari, Chief of Nepal Civil Aviation Authority in Jumla, air services have been suspended for five days in the region. In Humla, the rainy season has similarly disrupted air services since Wednesday, as informed by Mahendra Bahadur Singh, Chief of Simikot Civil Aviation Authority.
The closure of the Karnali Highway section of Kalikot has also worsened the situation, obstructing passage to Hulma Bazaar, Gaganekhola, Jumla Bazaar, and other locations. Travel between Surkhet and Jumla has been halted, impacting commuters and the transportation of goods.
Engineer Nabin Kharel from the Mid-Hill Highway Project Office in Dailekh highlighted challenges posed by landslides and road damage near Baglung’s Baglung, Dhawalagiri, and surrounding areas. He urged caution and emphasized the need to prioritize safety during travel along the mid-hill roads.
Meanwhile, the Rukum East District Administration Office has issued a travel advisory urging essential travel only along the Mid-Hill Highway and Rapti Highway connecting urban areas.
In light of the circumstances, Prajia Madhav Prasad Sharma emphasized the importance of adhering to safety measures while traveling along the Mid-Hill Highway, urging travelers to avoid non-essential journeys.
