Bad weather in Kathmandu Valley affects hundreds of flights

Kathmandu, March 30: The inclement weather in Kathmandu Valley and some parts of the country has affected hundreds of domestic flights from the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) for five days.

The hazardously hazy weather in the Valley emanating from the wildfires raging in forests nearby the Kathmandu Valley, mainly the Makawanpur district, has hit the aviation sector hardest as more and more domestic and international flights were being canceled. Some of the international flights were diverted. Despite the unfavorable weather, the TIA has been operating flights domestic and international flights under the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), one among the two sets of rules that govern the aircraft flying in the instrument meteorological conditions, according to the TIA.

The yellowish smog in the Valley has lead to poor visibility affecting around 40 flights operated by 10 helicopter service providers and 9 airline service providers in the country.