On Friday, November 18th, 620 foreign tourists who have been stranded at Tenzing Hillary Airport (also known as Lukla Airport) for days, have finally been rescued. Due to bad weather conditions, some 1,200 tourists were blocked in the Solukhumbu district as poor visibility forced Tenzing Hillary and Phaplu airports to cancel all their flights for six consecutive days. Since last week, Civil Aviation Authorities have been trying to rescue stranded tourists with helicopters. More flights disruptions cannot be excluded.
Flight cancellations started on Saturday, November 12th and some 150 flights have been cancelled since then. Climate in Nepal is extreme (especially during winter months, from November to January) and can change quickly, causing unpredictable road closures and air traffic disruptions. Travellers must be aware of the risks of trekking in Nepal for their health and their safety. Security incidents involving trekkers being robbed with the use of violence have been reported; women have to be particularly careful as rapes occurred in the past on some trails. Nepal is located in a seismically active area and is considered high risk: effects of the earthquake that severely affected the region of Kanchenjunga on September 18th are still felt today.
Travellers going to Nepal are advised to confirm all their travel arrangements before departure. Listen to local and international media in order to get updated information about possible transport disruptions (either caused by bad weather conditions or by strike action). Contact your embassy in order to get information concerning the risk of trekking in the country.
