Air services at Surkhet Airport have been suspended until Friday after water seeped from beneath the runway, causing structural damage.
The issue began when a pothole developed on the runway, prompting authorities to halt flights starting Tuesday for repairs. Although the initial pothole was filled, water emerged from another section of the runway, forcing an extension of the suspension.
Airport Chief Hiraj Kafle stated that while the first damaged section was repaired, a new water seepage was detected just 10 meters away. "Efforts are underway to drain the water and complete repairs by Friday," said Kafle.
The affected runway area was previously developed after relocating local settlements. The damage occurred near the northern part of the runway, close to Newar School in Surkhet.
Kafle added that regular flight operations are expected to resume from Saturday. Currently, Buddha Air and Shree Airlines operate four daily flights on the Surkhet-Kathmandu-Surkhet route.
With the airport temporarily closed, passengers are traveling by road to Nepalgunj—a three-hour journey—before catching flights to Kathmandu.
.
