Madhu Shahi/ RSS

KATHMANDU: With the country all set to hold the House of Representatives election on Thursday, the Kathmandu Valley is witnessing an increasing number of people leaving the valley for their homes- with excitement to cast votes. Some are even returning home from foreign countries.

However, Santosh Tamang of Itahari, Sunsari district is found making repeated visits to the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) for the past four days, holding his passport and flight ticket. Each day, Tamang goes to TIA, only to return disappointed after hearing that his flight has been canceled.

The Nepali youth, who had been working in Romania, was preparing to return to his duty station after completing a two-month of home leave.

However, international flights from TIA have been canceled due to the impact of conflict in the West Asia. Nevertheless, he keeps visiting the TIA daily in the hope that the flights will resume.

Distressed Tamang bemoaned, “With flights uncertain at this moment, I cannot return home. I have to check the flight status every 24 hours. At such situation, I can neither go home nor cast vote, but wait and see the flight schedule. I am in sheer dilemma.”

Pradeep Rawal of Tikapur, Kailali district shares the similar plight. His mother and grandmother had come to the TIA four days ago to see him off. “When my mother bade farewell to me, she returned home in tears whereas I am still here,” recalled Rawal, adding, “They suggest me returning home. I also want to cast ballot, but I am not sure when my flight resumes.”

Although Rawal wishes to exercise his inherent rights to elect representatives, circumstances led him to remain stuck in Kathmandu. He is in his country during the election, but unable to cast vote on March 5. “What is painful moment and worrying quandary,” he remarked.

Like Tamang and Rawal, many Nepalis travelling to the Gulf countries, major employment destination of Nepali youths, have been adversely affected after tensions escalated between the USA-Israel and Iran on February 28.

While Nepalis abroad are worried about their safety, those preparing to leave Nepal are anxiously waiting whether the flights operate or not.

Kul Bahadur Bishwakarma from Bhojpur was scheduled to reach Dubai by Monday. However, his departure remains uncertain due to ongoing tensions in West Asia. “One the one hand, I have not been able to make it to my duty, yet on the other, I am worried over missing my chance to vote,” he lamented.

“I wanted to vote, but it takes two days to go home and return. After everyone in my group went back to vote, I feel disappointed!” he expressed.

Bhuvan Kumar Gurung, President of the Nepal Foreign Employment Association, mentioned that ongoing conflict has led to indefinite flight cancellations with no immediate resumption in sight. He, thus, suggests those waiting to fly abroad return home until further arrangements of flights are made. “Flights won’t operate soon, so you can return home,” he advised, cautioning, “But remain in touch with your employer company.”

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, airports in the West Asia region, including Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Bahrain, are currently shut down.

Government data shows there are 1.9 million workers heading to Gulf countries, with 357,913 in Qatar. Additionally, number of Nepalis workers in Oman stands at 25,000, while 6,500 in Israel, 6 in Iran and 175,000 in Kuwait.

Furthermore, there are currently 28,000 Nepali workers in Bahrain, 384,865 in Saudi Arabia, 700,000 in the UAE, 1,500 in Lebanon, 30,000 in Iraq and 17,000 Nepali workers in Cyprus.