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.