National News (Nepal) September 3, 2026 Default Admin

Captain Priya Adhikari: Nepal’s First Woman Helicopter Captain Flies Nearly 100 Rescue Missions in Six Days

Captain Priya Adhikari, Nepal's first woman helicopter captain, has flown nearly 100 rescue missions in six days, helping evacuate survivors from flood- and landslide-hit Himalayan areas.

As devastating floods and landslides continue to affect communities across Nepal, Captain Priya Adhikari, Nepal’s first woman helicopter captain, has emerged as one of the prominent figures in the ongoing aerial rescue operations.

Adhikari has reportedly flown nearly 100 rescue missions in just six days, reaching some of the most difficult and dangerous areas affected by the disaster. Her missions have involved evacuating survivors from flood- and landslide-hit Himalayan communities where roads and bridges have been destroyed and helicopters have become a crucial means of access. (India Today)

Flying Toward Danger to Rescue Survivors

The recent disaster has devastated parts of Nepal's northern Himalayan region, particularly areas around the Bhote Koshi valley and Rasuwa.

With terrain becoming unstable and ground transportation severely disrupted, aerial rescue has played a vital role in reaching people stranded in remote locations.

Captain Adhikari has been operating in these challenging conditions, helping transport survivors from areas that have become difficult or impossible to reach by road. Reports say around 20 helicopters were operating around Timure, requiring pilots and rescue teams to carefully coordinate landings in confined and unstable terrain. (NDTV)

Nearly 100 Rescue Flights in Six Days

The scale of Adhikari's contribution has attracted widespread attention.

Reports indicate that she completed around 100 rescue missions over a six-day period, demonstrating the demanding pace of the ongoing emergency response.

Her work has required repeated flights into areas affected by floods, landslides, mud and damaged infrastructure, with little room for error during landings and evacuations.

More than 200 survivors were reportedly evacuated during the first 48 hours of the operation, according to one account of the rescue effort.

An Experienced High-Altitude Rescue Pilot

Adhikari's experience in Himalayan aviation has prepared her for some of the most demanding flying conditions.

She has spent years conducting high-altitude helicopter and rescue operations, including missions involving climbers and people in remote mountainous areas. Reports have said some of her previous rescue flights reached altitudes of approximately 6,200 metres.

That experience has become particularly valuable during the current disaster, where pilots have had to operate around narrow valleys, unstable slopes and heavily damaged settlements.

A Milestone for Women in Nepali Aviation

Beyond the current rescue operation, Captain Priya Adhikari's career carries wider significance.

As Nepal's first woman helicopter captain, her role represents an important milestone for women in aviation in the country. Her participation in one of Nepal's most challenging rescue operations has also brought renewed attention to the contribution of women pilots in emergency response.

Her story demonstrates that aviation is not only about transportation but can also become a critical lifeline during natural disasters.

Rescue Operations Continue Amid Difficult Conditions

The broader rescue operation remains extremely challenging.

The catastrophic flooding has destroyed roads, bridges and other infrastructure across affected areas, leaving some communities isolated. Helicopters, rescue personnel and heavy machinery have therefore become essential to reaching survivors and delivering emergency assistance.

Rescue teams continue to work despite difficult weather, unstable terrain and the risk of additional landslides and flooding.

A Symbol of Courage and Service

For people trapped in disaster-hit areas, a helicopter arriving from above can represent the difference between being isolated and receiving help.

Captain Priya Adhikari's nearly 100 rescue missions in six days have made her one of the recognizable faces of Nepal's ongoing aerial rescue effort.

Her story is not simply about a pilot flying a helicopter. It is about skill, endurance, courage and service during one of Nepal's most difficult emergencies.

As rescue and relief operations continue, Adhikari's contribution serves as an inspiring example of how trained professionals can step forward when communities have nowhere else to turn.