Surkhet Airport will remain closed until Saturday after groundwater seeped onto the runway during ongoing repair work, officials said.

Flight operations have been suspended since Tuesday when a pothole suddenly appeared on the northern end of the runway. While efforts were underway to fill the damaged section, groundwater began surfacing from a nearby area, prompting another closure, said airport chief Hirajan Kafle.

Repairs initially began after a pothole was discovered, but water leakage from beneath the surface forced further delays. “Work is ongoing to fill the water-affected area, and we aim to resume flights by Saturday,” Kafle said.

He added that a geological study might be necessary to assess the problem in depth.

With the airport closed, passengers now have to travel to Nepalgunj for air services.