SOLUKHUMBU: Adverse weather has caused disruption of flights at the Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla for ten  days, leaving the tourists stranded in the Everest region. 

The tourists visiting the Khumbu region, which is home to the world’s highest peak, have been badly affected by the disruption in air service.    

Diwas Dahal, air controller at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAN) office based in Lukla, informed the state-owned RSS that fog and poor visibility are to be blamed for the disruption in air services. Both aircraft and helicopters are not able to conduct flights since June 8.    

"It is the time for foreign tourists to return to Kathmandu after traveling to the Everest region. The number of tourists leaving the district is more than the arrivals. But adverse weather has taken a toll on air service," Dahal added. All flight schedules have been cancelled for ten days. Thick fog has caused poor visibility, he added.    

However, Dahal informed that some helicopters were operated from Surke helipad located downhill to Lukla, where the weather is relatively clear.  

Meanwhile, travellers can get vehicles bound for Kathmandu after four-hour trek down from Lukla airport. There is also an option for the tourists to ride from Thamdanda to Kathmandu in jeep.    

Thamdanda lies 70-km away from Salleri bazaar, the district headquarters of Solukhumbu.  A jeep ride from Salleri to Kathmandu covering a distance of 275 kilometers costs Rs 2,000 per person. -- RSS