Priya Adhikari, Nepal’s first woman helicopter captain, has flown around 100 rescue missions in less than a week. She has helped save survivors in flood and landslide-hit areas of Nepal, including Timure in Rasuwa district.Key HighlightsPriya Adhikari is Nepal’s first female helicopter captain.She has flown about 100 rescue missions in less than a week.Her work includes high-altitude rescue missions in the Himalayas.More than 200 people were evacuated from Timure in the first two days.Who Is Priya Adhikari?Priya Adhikari is an experienced high-altitude pilot. She has spent years helping people in the Himalayan region. Her work includes rescuing climbers from very high places.Some of her rescue flights have reached about 6,200 metres. This makes her an important name in Nepal helicopter rescue work.Her path to flying was not easy. She studied environmental science and first worked as cabin crew. A helicopter joyride made her interested in flying.She later went to the Philippines for helicopter training. After completing her flying hours, she became a full-time pilot in 2017. She then focused on high-altitude rescue work.Related Instagram Video : Meet Priya Adhikari, Nepal’s First WomanPriya Adhikari Leads Flood RescueRecent floods and landslides caused major damage in Nepal. The Timure area in Rasuwa district was badly hit.Adhikari has been flying for long hours to help people. Around 20 helicopters have taken part in the rescue work near Timure.At times, five or six helicopters had to land almost together. Pilots used radio communication to keep the flights safe.The ground was also very dangerous. Flood water and mudslides left thick mud in many places. Some areas looked safe from the air but could not support a helicopter.Pilots sometimes had to keep the helicopter running after landing. This allowed them to quickly take survivors to safety.A Rescue Pilot Who Keeps GoingThe Priya Adhikari Everest rescue work shows her skill in dangerous places. Her missions have included helping injured climbers at extreme heights.During the latest disaster, she saw great destruction from the air. She also saw survivors waiting for help.“You survived,” Adhikari said while speaking about the people waiting for rescue.More than 200 people were evacuated from Timure during the first two days. The operation also included Nepal Army helicopters.Adhikari said the work has been very tiring. But she and other pilots continue because they were trained for such emergencies.“Most of us are so exhausted because of all the flights we've been doing. We've been trained for this,” she told CNN.The story of Priya Adhikari Helicopter Captain highlights the courage of a Himalayan rescue pilot working in some of the world's most difficult terrain.Also Read : Bhote Koshi River Flood in Nepal: Rasuwa Villages and Hydropower Projects Hit
