Priya Adhikari, Nepal’s first female helicopter captain, has flown more than 100 missions to rescue people affected by the country’s devastating floods. She has continued nonstop operations to search for the missing and rescue survivors.
In an interview, Adhikari said the skies over the flood-hit valley have been extremely busy, with many helicopters and aircraft operating simultaneously. Landing helicopters in damaged, mud-covered and unsafe areas has posed a major technical challenge, she said.
Adhikari said she has formed a deep emotional connection with the people she has rescued. The search for missing people is ongoing; more than 200 people have been safely evacuated in the rescue operation so far. But she said the severe humanitarian crisis requires further urgent assistance, including addressing shortages of body bags and other equipment needed to recover the dead.