Priya Adhikari leads rescue missions in Nepal floods

Priya Adhikari, Nepal’s first female helicopter captain, has completed approximately 100 rescue missions in just six days following devastating floods and landslides. The natural disaster, which has affected the border regions of Nepal and Tibet, has resulted in more than 1,000 deaths and left thousands missing.

Operating in the Rasuwa district, specifically near the village of Timure, Adhikari and her colleagues face extreme conditions. Due to thick mud making landings impossible, pilots must often keep their engines running and helicopters hovering while survivors board. Adhikari noted that the scale of the destruction, including the loss of five hydroelectric projects and widespread casualties, surpasses the impact of the 2015 earthquake.