Flights to and from the Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, the gateway to Mount Everest, have been halted for three consecutive days due to continuous rainfall and dense fog.
According to Nabaraj Katuwal, Air Traffic Controller at Lukla Airport under the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), visibility has dropped significantly, preventing both airplanes and helicopters from operating.

“A few helicopters managed to fly on Thursday, but none since then,” Katuwal confirmed.

More than 1,500 tourists are stranded in Lukla. Hotels and guesthouses are at full capacity, with some visitors sleeping in lobbies, said Amrit Magar from Tara Air.

The situation is equally critical in Namche Bazaar, where Lama Kaji Sherpa, Chairman of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), reported that around 1,200 trekkers are stuck due to continued rain and snowfall at higher altitudes.

“Hotel occupancy is at 100 percent,” Sherpa said. “Tourists descending from upper camps and those heading upward have both been forced to stay here.”

Locals added that Namche has not seen sunlight for four days. “Guests are passing time reading books and listening to music,” said local resident Tek Rai.

Meanwhile, several tourists attempting to return to Kathmandu via Salleri are facing landslide-blocked roads.
Tourism entrepreneur Bal Darnal noted that the Solukhumbu–Kathmandu route, particularly near Kavrepalanchok and Sindhuli, has been disrupted by heavy mud and debris.

“Vehicles have been stuck for hours due to rain and landslides,” Darnal said.

According to meteorologist Saroj Pudasaini of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the monsoon system remains active, bringing more rain and snow in the next few days.

“The weather may improve only after two to three days,” he added.Everest region news