SOLUKHUMBU: Flights to and from Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, known as the gateway to Mount Everest, have been suspended for the past three days due to adverse weather conditions.

Continuous light rain and dense fog have grounded all flights. According to Nabaraj Katuwal, the air traffic controller (ATC) at Lukla Airport under the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), flights have been halted since Thursday due to persistent rain.

“Visibility is very low, and not only airplanes but even helicopters are unable to operate. A few helicopters flew last Thursday, but not since then,” Katuwal said.

As flights remain suspended, tourists preparing to return from the Khumbu region are stranded in Lukla. Hotels and guesthouses in the area are fully occupied.

Amrit Magar, in charge of Tara Air in Lukla, said about 1,500 tourists with airline tickets are stuck.“All hotels in Lukla are full, and it’s hard to find rooms for new guests,” he added.

Local resident Toya Kumar Shrestha said some hotels have had to seat tourists in lobbies.Julie Marie, a tourist from France, said, “We returned from Everest Base Camp three days ago and have been stuck in Lukla ever since, waiting for a flight.”

Namche Bazaar also packed

The situation is similar in Namche Bazaar, where hotels are packed with trekkers. Lama Kaji Sherpa, chairman of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, said about 1,200 tourists are currently stuck in Namche.

“It’s been raining continuously, and there’s snowfall at higher altitudes. Tourists descending from the upper region are now at Namche, while those heading upward from Lukla have also halted here. Hotel occupancy is now at 100 percent,” he said.

Tek Rai, a local in Namche, said the area has not seen sunlight for four days.“Guests are spending their days reading books and listening to music,” he said.

Land route also difficult

Some tourists are trying to return to Kathmandu via Salleri by road after flights were halted, but that route is also difficult.

Tourism entrepreneur Bal Darnal said landslides and muddy roads have blocked several sections of the Solukhumbu–Kathmandu route.

“Especially along the BP Highway near Kavrepalanchok and Sindhuli, heavy rain and mud have caused vehicles to remain stuck in traffic for hours,” he added.

Weather not expected to clear soon

According to meteorologist Saroj Pudasaini from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology in Kathmandu, the monsoon system remains active, and more heavy rain and snowfall are likely.

“There is a chance of continued rain in Koshi Province and the Himalayan and hilly regions for the next two to three days. The weather is expected to gradually improve only after that,” he said.