Priya Adhikari, Nepal’s first female helicopter captain, has flown around 100 rescue missions in less than a week as flash floods and landslides devastate parts of the Himalayan nation. The 41-year-old high-altitude rescue pilot has been operating over some of the worst-affected areas, including Timure in Rasuwa district, helping evacuate survivors and recover those who died in the disaster.

Adhikari has spent years specialising in high-altitude search-and-rescue operations across the Himalayas. Her previous missions have included rescuing injured climbers at extreme elevations, with some flights taking her to around 6,200 metres. Her experience in difficult terrain has placed her among the pilots involved in the challenging rescue operations following the latest floods and landslides.

Her path to becoming a helicopter pilot was unconventional. After studying environmental science, Adhikari initially worked as cabin crew. A helicopter joyride sparked her interest in aviation, eventually prompting her to travel to the Philippines for helicopter training. After completing the required flying hours, she became a full-time helicopter pilot in 2017 and later specialised in high-altitude rescue operations.

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The rescue effort in Timure has involved around 20 helicopters, with multiple aircraft sometimes operating within the same confined area. Adhikari described how five or six helicopters may need to land almost simultaneously to evacuate survivors, requiring pilots to maintain constant radio communication and coordinate their movements. The terrain has added further challenges, with floodwater and landslides leaving unstable layers of mud that can make helicopter landings hazardous.

In some affected locations, pilots have been unable to safely shut down their engines after landing because of unstable ground conditions. More than 200 people were evacuated from Timure during the first two days of the operation, with several helicopters, including Nepal Army Augusta aircraft, participating in the effort. Adhikari also witnessed the devastation from the air, including destroyed areas and people waiting for evacuation, while rescue teams worked to recover those who had died.

Despite the scale of the disaster and the exhaustion caused by continuous flights, Adhikari has remained focused on rescuing survivors. She recalled seeing people waving as helicopters arrived and reassuring them that they had survived. The operation has also involved recovering bodies, with body bags among the urgently needed supplies in affected areas. After days of demanding missions, Adhikari acknowledged the fatigue among pilots but highlighted that rescue operations are what they have been trained to carry out.

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