Hundreds of Tourists Stranded as Fog Grounds Flights at Everest Gateway Lukla

Hundreds of tourists remain stranded in Lukla, Nepal, as poor weather conditions have suspended flights at Tenzing-Hillary Airport for the third consecutive day, officials said Saturday.

Continuous rain, fog, and low visibility have made air travel impossible since Thursday. Many trekkers who returned from Everest Base Camp are unable to fly back to Kathmandu, creating overcrowding in hotels in Lukla and nearby Namche Bazaar.

During the peak trekking season, dozens of flights normally operate daily, but all have been suspended. Amrit Magar, in-charge of Tara Airlines in Lukla, reported that around 1,500 passengers with booked tickets are currently stranded.

The Weather Forecasting Division of Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said heavy rain and snowfall are expected to continue in mountainous and hilly regions, including Koshi Province, for the next few days.

Authorities urged tourists to remain patient and continue following safety guidelines while waiting for flights to resume.