Air services remain suspended for a second day due to poor visibility – Republic World

Pithoragarh: Air services to Pithoragarh and Munsiyari towns in the border district remained suspended for the second day on Saturday due to poor visibility around the Naini-Saini airport caused by smoke rising from the burning forests.

Visibility around the airport and surrounding area remained less than 1,000 meters, which must be at least 5,000 meters for air pilots to operate, officials said.

“Visibility in the Saur Valley, where the airport is located, has fallen drastically due to smoke emitted by forest fires,” SDM Ashish Kumar Mishra said.

The smoke rising from the forests is so dense in both Pithoragarh and Munsiyari that even the mountain peaks are not visible, he said. “Air passengers at Pithoragarh and Haldwani are disappointed with the cancellation of both flights.

Efforts are being made to douse the forest fires to clear the weather,” Mishra said. The air service is operated by Fly Big Company aircraft from Dehradun to Pithoragarh while the heli services are operated by Heritage Aviation Company from Haldwani to Pithoragarh and Munsiyari.

Besides the Saur Valley, the forest fires are raging in the Quirala Valley of Champawat and the forests of Lohaghat, Jhoolaghat and Gaurihat. “We had to be extra careful while heading towards Jhoolaghat from Gaurihat as the visibility on the 10 km road is so poor that no vehicle could be seen from further than 10 meters away due to the smoke released from forest fires in the surrounding jungles.’ said Vikram Singh Rawat, a tourist who had gone to Jhoolaghat.

According to medical officials at community and primary health centers at various places in the district, an increasing number of patients are coming to hospitals complaining of breathing difficulties and eye irritation.

“These problems are caused by the smoke emanating from the raging forest fires,” said Harish Chandra Rawat, Jhoolaghat PHC in-charge.