Nepal’s First Woman Helicopter Captain Priya Adhikari Recalls Harrowing Flood Rescue Mission: “Everything Was Gone”
Nepal’s devastating floods and landslides have left entire communities struggling to recover, while rescue teams continue to search remote Himalayan areas for survivors and missing people.
Amid the massive rescue operation, Priya Adhikari, Nepal’s first woman helicopter captain, has emerged as one of the most notable figures involved in the effort. She has flown around 100 rescue missions in six days, helping evacuate people from some of the worst-affected areas near the Nepal-Tibet border.
Speaking to CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Adhikari described what she witnessed from the air and the enormous challenges faced by pilots operating in narrow Himalayan valleys.
Her words captured the scale of the disaster:
Who Is Priya Adhikari?
Priya Adhikari is Nepal’s first woman helicopter captain and an experienced high-altitude rescue pilot.
Her route into aviation was unusual. She studied environmental science and initially worked as cabin crew. A helicopter joyride changed her career plans and inspired her to become a helicopter pilot.
She later travelled to the Philippines for helicopter training and eventually became a full-time helicopter pilot in 2017. Over the years, she developed extensive experience in Himalayan search-and-rescue operations.
Her previous missions included rescuing injured climbers in the Himalayas, including at very high altitudes. Reports say some of her rescue flights have reached approximately 6,200 metres.
Around 100 Rescue Missions in Six Days
The latest flood disaster has put Adhikari’s experience to an extraordinary test.
According to reports, she flew approximately 100 rescue missions over six days as helicopters worked to evacuate survivors from areas devastated by flash floods and landslides.
The Timure area in Nepal’s Rasuwa district became one of the most challenging locations.
More than 200 survivors were reportedly evacuated from the area during the first two days, with several helicopters repeatedly flying in and out of the affected region.
For people stranded in remote mountain communities, helicopters became a crucial lifeline because roads and bridges had been destroyed or blocked by debris.
“Everything Was Gone”
For Adhikari, the most difficult part was not simply flying the helicopter—it was seeing the destruction below.
From the air, she saw areas that had been dramatically transformed by floodwater, mud and landslides.
She described the devastation by saying:
She also said that five hydropower projects were gone and lives had been lost.
Her description illustrates how severely the disaster affected both communities and major infrastructure in the Himalayan region.
7
Why Timure Rescue Missions Were So Dangerous
Rescuing people from Timure was particularly difficult because of the geography.
The region is surrounded by steep Himalayan terrain, while the floods and landslides left behind thick layers of mud and debris.
Adhikari explained that pilots sometimes could not determine from the air whether the ground was strong enough for a helicopter to land safely.
In some locations, the mud was so unstable that pilots could not safely shut down the helicopter after landing.
Instead, they had to keep the helicopter running while survivors were quickly brought aboard before taking off again.
This created another challenge: every landing had to be carefully planned and completed quickly.
Around 20 Helicopters Working Together
The rescue operation around Timure involved approximately 20 helicopters, according to reports.
With several helicopters operating in the same small area, communication between pilots became essential.
Adhikari said that sometimes five or six helicopters could be landing around the same time to evacuate survivors.
Pilots had to remain in constant radio communication to coordinate their movements and prevent conflicts in the air or on the ground.
In a narrow Himalayan valley, even a small mistake could have serious consequences.
The Emotional Side of the Rescue
The physical risks were only one part of the mission.
Adhikari also spoke about the emotional impact of witnessing the disaster.
From her helicopter, she saw both survivors and people who had lost their lives.
Despite the destruction, the sight of survivors waiting for helicopters gave her encouragement.
She recalled seeing people waving when the helicopter landed and telling them:
That moment became particularly meaningful because many of the people being rescued were complete strangers to her.
“We’ve Been Trained for This”
After days of almost continuous flying, exhaustion became another challenge.
Adhikari acknowledged that many pilots involved in the rescue operation were extremely tired.
But she also emphasized that rescue missions are exactly the kind of difficult situations for which they had been trained.
Her comments underline the demanding nature of disaster-response aviation, particularly in mountainous areas where weather, terrain and landing conditions can change rapidly.
From Cabin Crew to Nepal’s First Woman Helicopter Captain
Adhikari’s professional journey is almost as remarkable as her recent rescue work.
Before becoming a helicopter pilot, she worked as cabin crew and studied environmental science.
A helicopter ride sparked her interest in aviation. She subsequently travelled to the Philippines for professional helicopter training.
After completing the necessary flying experience, she became a full-time pilot and eventually achieved the distinction of becoming Nepal’s first woman helicopter captain.
Her career has also challenged traditional assumptions about women in aviation.
Earlier in her career, she faced doubts about whether a woman could work as a high-altitude helicopter pilot. She eventually proved those doubts wrong by becoming a captain and conducting difficult rescue operations in the Himalayas.
Nepal’s Flood Disaster Has Left Thousands Missing
Adhikari’s rescue missions are taking place against the backdrop of a massive humanitarian disaster.
The floods were triggered by a glacier collapse/ice-and-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, sending huge quantities of water and debris through Himalayan valleys.
The disaster destroyed roads, bridges, homes and important infrastructure.
By September 2, Reuters reported that the death toll had reached at least 1,114 people, with nearly 4,000 still missing. Rescue teams were also focusing on hydropower tunnels where workers could potentially still be trapped.
More than 11,000 people had been rescued, while international teams from countries including India, China and the United States were assisting with specialized rescue efforts.
6
Why Helicopters Are Critical in the Himalayas
The latest disaster has demonstrated the importance of helicopters during Himalayan emergencies.
When roads disappear and bridges are washed away, aircraft can reach isolated communities within minutes rather than waiting for ground routes to be reopened.
However, helicopter rescue operations in the Himalayas are extremely demanding.
Pilots must deal with:
- Narrow valleys
- Unstable landing surfaces
- Rapidly changing weather
- High altitude
- Heavy debris
- Poor ground access
- Multiple helicopters operating simultaneously
Adhikari’s experience in high-altitude rescue flying has therefore been particularly valuable during the current crisis.
A Symbol of Courage for Women in Aviation
Beyond the current disaster, Adhikari’s story has another important dimension.
She became Nepal’s first woman helicopter captain in an aviation industry traditionally dominated by men.
Her career demonstrates that women can operate in highly demanding aviation roles, including high-altitude search-and-rescue missions.
Her own advice has been straightforward: believe in yourself and pursue the career you want.
Conclusion
Priya Adhikari’s story has become one of the most remarkable human stories to emerge from Nepal’s devastating floods.
Flying around 100 rescue missions in six days, she and other helicopter pilots have helped evacuate survivors from areas where roads and bridges have been destroyed.
But her description of what she saw from the air remains particularly powerful: “Everything is gone.”
The disaster has destroyed communities and infrastructure across parts of the Himalayan region, while thousands of people remain missing.
For those waiting for help, however, the arrival of a helicopter can mean the difference between being trapped and reaching safety.
And for Priya Adhikari, every successful landing carries the same message:
You survived.
About the Author
