A massive dust storm hit the Kathmandu, affecting the traffic movement
and flights in the late afternoon. As the roaring storm lasted for 15
minutes causing darkness, it created panic among the Valley denizens.
The road traffic was brought to a grinding halt in different places for
half an hour or so. Normal life was affected and at least half a dozen
people were injured. Flights were also held up for an hour and people
forced to stop their vehicles right in the middle of roads. Gusts of up
to 71 km per hour blew from the western side, the meteorology department
said. The Tribhuvan International Airport was shut down for an hour due
to the dust storm. Airport authorities later started cleaning up the
runway after dust piled up. Commuters were forced to stop their vehicles
on the road. Thousands of private and public transport were stranded in
the streets due to the dust storm. People on the roads took shelters at
various spots to avoid the dust. Three people were injured in the heart
of Kathmandu after a tree fell on them due to the gusty wind. One
person was injured in Koteshwor area, and three in other parts of the
city, police said.
Post a Comment