Rasuwa Flood: Nepal’s Largest Helicopter Rescue Operation in Recent Times
Image source, Reuters
After a sudden flood in the Bhote Koshi river caused widespread destruction in the lowland areas, a Nepal Army helicopter took off from Kathmandu early last Wednesday morning to carry out rescue operations.
During a parliamentary address on Wednesday, marking a week since the Rasuwa disaster, the Prime Minister stated that the first rescue flight was dispatched on September 25 at 9:45 am by a Nepal Army helicopter heading towards the affected area.
With widespread confusion and fear in the flood-impacted region, the Nepal Army spokesman Rajaram Basnet explained that the true extent of damage was primarily assessed through helicopter reconnaissance.
“On the very first day, our four helicopters commenced rescue operations. One MI-17 helicopter carried a team of 20 doctors and by 11:30 am had established a medical base,” said Basnet. “Such a large-scale aerial rescue operation in a small airstrip has never before been conducted in Nepal.”
At a Tuesday press conference, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung described the operation as extensive, possibly the largest ever in Nepal.
Within a week, more than 4,000 people had been airlifted by military and private sector helicopters. The Nepal Army alone reported conducting 717 flights.
At different times, approximately two dozen private helicopters and seven army helicopters were involved in the rescue operations.
Dire Conditions, But Helicopters Deliver Hope
Image source, Reuters
According to Narendra Pariyar, Chief District Officer of Rasuwa, all roads were completely blocked by midday of the flood day.
“Afterward, everyone’s only hope became the helicopter. Though efforts to clear alternative roads continued, many areas remained inaccessible,” Pariyar said.
“Initially, it was even difficult for helicopters to land in many places, but they managed to provide hope to many.”
The Nepal Army decided to centralize rescue operations under a single command for helicopter deployment to avoid duplications and streamline efforts.
“Flights were regularly conducted in all directions based from the barracks in Nuwakot,” said Kailash Helicopter Captain Maniraj Lama.
“The situation in the lower areas was extremely grim. It was an extraordinary circumstance even for helicopters to see so many flying simultaneously in the sky.”
Image source, Reuters
Initially, helicopters focused on transporting rescuers and security personnel, later expanding to evacuating bodies and distributing relief supplies.
As bodies began to decompose, to reduce health risks, the removal process was conducted by a ‘long line’ method: suspending bodies using a cable attached to the helicopter.
However, Captain Lama said determining priorities was extremely challenging given the high number of victims on the initial days, requiring sensitive humanitarian work under difficult circumstances.
Simrik Air’s Captain Bimal Sharma noted he had never seen such a busy sky during helicopter rescue missions before.
“Even during Everest expeditions, the air traffic is busy but destinations are well-defined. Here, coordination was difficult as locations given were inconsistent, forcing repeated searches,” Sharma stated. “Some landing spots were simply inaccessible in reality.”
‘Air Traffic’ in Confined Airspace
Pilots Bimal Sharma and Maniraj Lama both described flying over a dozen helicopters simultaneously from Trishuli to the China border region.
“That number was high for such a narrow valley,” said Sharma. “Pilots maintained coordination by identifying each other, following rules like maintaining specific distances and altitudes, and flying to the left.”
Nepal Civil Aviation Authority Deputy Spokesperson Gyanendra Bhul mentioned that due to absence of a dedicated airport near the flood-affected zones, helicopters maintained communication with Tribhuvan International Airport during flights.
“The rescue airspace is not uncontrolled; pilots operate skillfully based on visibility, though drones sometimes pose challenges,” he added.
“Currently, drones are the biggest challenge for helicopters—not a health hazard but requiring management.”
Image source, Reuters
Despite intensive coordination amid rapidly changing weather conditions, pilots acknowledge persistent risks.
Captain Lama of Kailash Helicopter shared that although flights operated at lower altitudes compared to mountain climbing missions, rescue operations remained challenging.
“Rescue flights provide a vital lifeline, offering living hope even when contact is lost, giving people confidence that help will eventually arrive,” Lama recounted.
“Such hope can save lives during disasters. Thus, helicopters prove to be lifesavers in Nepal’s complex geography.”
Nepal Army spokesman Basnet affirmed the effectiveness of light helicopters in regions with narrow airspace and difficult terrain such as Rasuwa and Nuwakot.
“They enabled aerial reach above waterlogged areas where ground access was impossible.”
The Critical Role of Experienced Pilots
Image source, Reuters
Gyanendra Bhul, Deputy Spokesperson of Nepal Civil Aviation Authority, stated that pilots conducted the Rasuwa rescue missions with exceptional discipline and high-level flying skills.
He noted that during tourism and mountaineering seasons, about 150-200 helicopters operate daily from airports in Kathmandu and Lukla.
“These flights are chartered and permitted, but during disasters, special arrangements ensure that rescue flights are not compromised in terms of safety,” Bhul explained.
“That is why effective operations happen promptly in Nepal under such conditions. Experienced pilots familiar with the terrain are a major factor, alongside strict regulatory standards.”
Two years ago, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority recommended the government to establish helicopter systems for disaster rescue and relief.
At that time, experts suggested it would be more appropriate to utilize private sector resources rather than purchase helicopters outright.
Nimanuru Sherpa, Senior Vice President of the Helicopter Operators’ Association, said investment from the private sector has helped expand helicopter operations and strengthen Nepal’s economy.
“Nonetheless, improvements are still needed, such as better helicopter parking and maintenance facilities.”