19 dead, Nepal halts tourism and travellers are stranded, amid youth protests.
Kathmandu, Nepal: In a dramatic turn of events, Nepal has suspended tourism indefinitely amid escalating unrest across the country. Parliament was set on fire after Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned. Authorities have shut Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) and closed borders to tourist vehicles while permitting only essential cargo to pass, heightening concerns for would-be visitors and the currently stranded.
At the heart of this turmoil: a Gen Z uprising erupting across Nepal’s urban centres in recent days. Young protesters took to the streets of Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, and Biratnagar, decrying a controversial social media blackout and widespread governmental corruption. In Kathmandu, thousands breached police barricades at the Federal Parliament, prompting tear gas and water cannon responses from police. The clashes have resulted in at least 19 deaths and scores of injuries. The government imposed a curfew in areas close to many of the city’s main tourist attractions.
Provinces such as Rupandehi have enforced curfews and banned gatherings larger than five people to contain growing protests and disorder. Indian security agencies are also on high alert, screening arrivals and detaining suspicious travellers. Reports reveal increasing anxiety among tourists stranded at border crossings, a testament to the escalating uncertainty in the country.
At the Sonauli border in Uttar Pradesh, Indian officials confirmed the abrupt halt, stating: “The Nepal administration has clarified that tourism activities across the border will be completely closed for the time being”, according to reports by The Statesman.
In the wake of these protests and the Nepalese Prime Minister’s resignation, the government reinstated access to previously banned platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, and X.
Whilst much turmoil has concentrated in the capital, the crisis extends beyond Kathmandu’s streets. Flight cancellations, sudden curfews, and pervasive caution advice from international travel authorities reinforce a sombre reality: Nepal is not currently a viable travel destination. Tourists are instructed to stay informed and wary. For now, Nepalese tourism has hit a stark roadblock. Travellers are urged to monitor updates closely, as Nepal confronts a convergence of political upheaval, social mobilisation, and a fragile path toward normalcy.
