The Tenzing–Hillary Airport in Lukla, known as the gateway to Mount Everest, has been closed for three consecutive days due to persistent rainfall and poor visibility. The continuous drizzle and dense fog have completely halted flight operations since Thursday, leaving hundreds of trekkers and climbers stranded in the Everest region.
According to Nawaraj Katuwal, the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Lukla office, the ongoing rain has made flight operations impossible. “Due to the continuous rainfall, visibility is extremely low. Not only airplanes but even helicopter flights have been grounded. A few helicopters managed to fly last Thursday, but no flights have taken off since,” Katuwal stated.
Under normal circumstances, Lukla Airport handles around 60 flights daily during the trekking season. However, the current weather conditions have forced a complete suspension of both fixed-wing and helicopter services.
Hotels Packed with Stranded Tourists in Lukla
The flight disruption has left over 1,500 tourists stranded in Lukla, most of whom were returning from the Everest Base Camp trek. Amrit Magar, the Lukla station in-charge for Tara Air, said that all hotels in the area are fully occupied. “The hotels are filled to capacity, and it has become very difficult to find rooms for new arrivals,” he said.
Local resident Toya Kumar Shrestha reported that some hotels have started accommodating tourists in their lobbies due to the shortage of rooms. French traveler Julie Marie shared her experience, saying, “We returned from Everest Base Camp three days ago and have been waiting in Lukla since. The weather hasn’t improved, and flights remain grounded.”
Namche Bazaar Also Overcrowded with Visitors
The situation in Namche Bazaar, another major tourist hub in the Khumbu region, is similar. Lama Kaji Sherpa, Chairperson of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, stated that approximately 1,200 tourists are currently stuck in Namche. “Continuous rainfall and snowfall in the upper areas have driven trekkers back to Namche. Hotels here are operating at full capacity,” he said.
Local guide Tek Rai mentioned that the weather has been gloomy for several days. “It hasn’t been sunny in Namche for the past four days. Tourists are spending time reading books and listening to music while waiting for the weather to clear,” Rai added.
Difficult Road Conditions for Alternative Travel
With flights canceled indefinitely, some tourists have attempted to return to Kathmandu via Salleri using the overland route. However, this journey has also proven difficult due to landslides and muddy roads caused by continuous rain.
Tourism entrepreneur Bal Darnal explained that several sections of the Solukhumbu–Kathmandu road have been obstructed by landslides. “Travelers are facing long traffic jams, especially along the BP Highway in Kavrepalanchok and Sindhuli districts, where heavy rain has made the roads slippery and dangerous,” Darnal said.
Monsoon Remains Active; Weather to Persist for Days
Meteorologists predict that the bad weather may continue for at least two to three more days. Saroj Pudasaini, a meteorologist at the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology in Kathmandu, stated that the monsoon remains active across eastern and Himalayan regions. “Heavy rainfall and snowfall are likely to continue in Koshi Province and nearby mountainous areas for the next few days. The weather is expected to gradually improve only afterward,” he explained.
The extended suspension of flights has created logistical challenges for airlines, local businesses, and trekking operators. With the main trekking season still underway, continued weather disruptions could further affect tourism in the Everest region, one of Nepal’s most vital economic sectors.
