Flying Through Disaster: Captain Priya Adhikari Completes Around 100 Rescue Flights

KATHMANDU, NEPAL, September 1, 2026

Nepal’s pioneering female helicopter captain Priya Adhikari has carried out around 100 rescue flights in less than a week, reaching communities hit by severe floods and landslides. Flying into disaster-affected areas where people have been stranded or cut off, Adhikari has helped bring survivors to safer locations as rescue teams continue responding to the widespread destruction.

Around 100 Flights In Days

With roads damaged and several communities difficult to reach by land, helicopters have become an important part of the emergency response. Adhikari has spent much of the past several days flying between affected areas and safer locations, helping rescue people who otherwise faced limited ways to leave.

The Human Side Of Rescue

During an interview with CNN, Adhikari spoke about the emotional weight of witnessing the destruction from the air and on the ground. While the scale of the disaster has been difficult to see, she said successfully bringing people out of danger and watching them arrive safely is one of the most meaningful parts of her work.

Training Put Into Action

For Adhikari, operating in difficult situations is part of years of preparation as a helicopter pilot. She emphasized that pilots are trained to respond in demanding conditions, and she remains committed to supporting rescue operations while communities continue to need help.

Years Of Mountain Rescue Experience

Adhikari is no stranger to challenging flights. Throughout her aviation career, she has been involved in rescue operations across Nepal’s mountainous terrain, including high-altitude missions where helicopters can provide a lifeline when ground access is impossible.

Her journey has also broken an important barrier in Nepalese aviation. After pursuing professional pilot training, Adhikari became recognized as Nepal’s first female helicopter captain, opening a path for more women to enter a profession traditionally dominated by men.

Flying Hope To Isolated Communities

During a disaster, a helicopter flight can mean much more than transportation. For families trapped by damaged roads, landslides and swollen rivers, it can provide their quickest route to safety.

Adhikari’s repeated missions show how experienced pilots and rescue crews are working under intense conditions to reach people who need help. Behind every successful flight is a simple but important result: another person or family brought away from danger.