A massive wildfire has broken out in a forest near Lukla Airport in Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality in Solukhumbu.

All flights to and from the airport were affected by the smoke from the wildfire throughout Monday.

According to the airport officials, the smoke from the wildfire that occurred at Nakchung Community Forest in the rural municipality has disrupted regular flights at the airport during the start of the tourist season.

“We have closed all airport operations due to a massive smoke cover,” said Lukla Airport Chief Dwarika Achhami.

A team of Nepal Police, Nepal Army and locals reached the wildfire area soon after the locals had informed the police about it on Monday morning. However, the fire could not be brought under control as it has spread through difficult terrain.

Authorities deployed a helicopter to douse the flames after the team of security personnel and locals failed to bring the inferno under control.

“We deployed a helicopter to deal with the wildfire as it is burning through a tough geographical terrain,” said District Police Office DSP Kawit Katwal, “However, the wildfire could not be brought under control and is still raging on.”

Katwal informed that the authorities are yet to ascertain the extent of damage that the fire has caused to the forest.

“The wildfire has destroyed a lot of forest cover,” said Katwal, “We have set a perimeter to control the spread of fire towards human settlements.”

Airport officials informed that there is a risk in resuming airport operations immediately since the fire has yet to be brought under control.