Biratnagar airport shut down

Biratnagar, August 14

Biratnagar airport has shut down all air services due inundation there caused by incessant rain for the last few days. Uncertainty looms over when the airport will resume operations.

The runway has completely been covered by mud and sand. Nepali Army personnel have been working hard to clear the runway. As many as 150 NA personnel have been deployed to clear the airport with the help of a fire engine. It is reported that it will take four more days to resume air service at the airport.

Chief Suresh Man Shrestha at Civil Aviation Authority, Biratnagar, said there was uncertainty about resuming operation. “We have halted air services till Tuesday officially,” he informed. Shrestha said it would take 72 hours to bring the airport back into operation. He added that the airport would be ready for helicopters by tomorrow.

Heavy rainfall has kept the airport runway under water — floodwaters is as high as three feet on the ground. Airport sources said the equipment was also inundated and those equipment would be tested after clearing the mud and sand from the runway and administrative blocks.

Passengers have been facing serious problems after a dozen of flights from Biratnagar were cancelled.