KATHMANDU: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has urged the adoption of aviation safety precautions to mitigate potential damage from the impact of the cyclone ‘Arnab’.
The CAAN issued a safety circular on Wednesday, directing air service providers, airport operators, airline operators, and other relevant stakeholders to exercise necessary caution as this weather system could bring moderate to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, strong winds, and snowfall in the mountainous and high-hilly regions of Nepal.
It has advised heightened vigilance between October 29 and 30, as heavy rainfall, strong winds, and reduced visibility could disrupt flight take-offs and landings, airport operations, and the condition of runway surfaces.
Furthermore, the Authority has instructed air traffic management entities to develop robust flight management plans for adverse weather conditions, coordinate with other aviation units as necessary, and—should conditions deteriorate beyond established operational limits—implement measures such as rerouting flights, holding patterns, or other appropriate operational adjustments.
The circular also mandates the immediate dissemination of information regarding wind shear, severe atmospheric instability, and thunderstorms to both arriving and departing aircraft.
Furthermore, all relevant entities have been instructed to ensure that critical infrastructure for air navigation services and air traffic management including backup power supplies and communication systems are kept in a state of operational readiness. Any serious risks, disruptions, or safety-related incidents should also be immediately report through the prescribed channels.
